Jean K. is a resident of Lexington, Mississippi.
On January 25, 2026, Winter Storm Fern slammed into the South, and Jean’s neighborhood went dark.
No power, no lights, and no hot water.
Outside, icicles hung from the power lines and trees popped and cracked under the weight of the ice.
Mississippi had the highest proportion of customers without power in the entire country.
About 9 percent of customers were in the dark (over 128,000 homes and businesses).
Jean used a lighter and paper to ignite her gas stovetop so she and her daughter could see and stay warm.
Health officials warned that using a gas stove for heat was dangerous due to carbon monoxide risk.
But Jean did not have many other options.
When the power fails, knowing safe ways to light your home can keep you out of the emergency room, and it is a skill every household needs.
These are five proven ways to keep the lights on when the power goes out.
Headlamps:
A headlamp is a useful tool during a blackout because both hands stay unoccupied.
You can walk down a dark hallway, cook, carry provisions, and help your kids without juggling a flashlight.
Keep one in every bedroom so family members can find it right away in the dark.
A mid-range brightness model with adjustable settings is better for indoor use than a super bright one.
Battery-powered lanterns:
Lanterns spread light across a whole room instead of pointing it in one direction.
Place one on the kitchen counter and the whole family can eat, talk, and feel normal.
A good lantern runs eight to twenty hours on medium brightness.
Find one with a stable base, adjustable brightness, and common battery types so you can readily find replacements.
Solar lanterns and garden lights:
Solar-powered lanterns charge during the day and provide several hours of light after dark.
You can set them in a window during daylight and bring them inside at night.
Even on cloudy days, they gather enough energy for a few hours of usable light.
You can also pull solar garden stakes out of the ground and stick them in cups or jars indoors for hallway and bathroom lighting.
Candles with proper holders:
Candles work, but just don’t burn your house down.
Use heavy, enclosed holders like glass jars or deep ceramic containers.
Place them on solid surfaces away from curtains, paper, and anything that can catch fire.
Put them out before you step away from the room or go to sleep.
A single candle in a mason jar can light a small room for hours.
Oil and kerosene lamps:
Oil lamps provide steady, reliable light for hours.
They burn cleaner than candles and produce a consistent flame.
A hurricane lamp is one of the safest choices because the glass chimney shields the flame from drafts.
Keep the wick trimmed for a clean burn and always use the right fuel.
These lamps require no batteries, no charging, and no electricity.
Drawbacks to non-electric lighting:
Fire hazard:
Any flame is a risk, especially in a house full of stressed, tired people.
Kids, pets, and clutter increase the danger.
Always have a plan for putting out a flame quickly and keep a small fire extinguisher within reach.
Fuel and battery supply:
Batteries, and lamp oil run out; candles burn down.
You need to stockpile these items before a crisis, not during one.
Rotate your battery supply and keep surplus fuel sealed and stored safely.
Reduced light output:
None of these methods will light up a room like an overhead fixture.
Meaning, you will be working with less light than you are used to.
That is why it helps to combine methods: a lantern for the main room, headlamps for moving around, solar lights for hallways and stairs.
These are solid choices to be ready for the next blackout:
The UCO Candle Lantern is compact, lightweight, and burns beeswax candles for up to 18 hours.
The Goal Zero Crush Light is a collapsible solar lantern that charges by sunlight and lasts up to 35 hours on low.
The Dietz Original Hurricane Lantern is a classic oil lamp that has been trusted for over a century.
Blackouts are becoming more frequent as storms worsen and the grid ages.
Having a plan to see in the dark is essential.
Along with your stock of safety lights, you should have a tool that allows you to defend yourself while providing ultra-bright light.
