Tina L. lives in Springfield, Massachusetts.
A mistake by a heating oil delivery company left Tina with 100 gallons of oil in her basement.
According to Tina, the heating oil fill pipes located on the outside of her house were not connected to an oil tank.
The oil delivery company showed up at the wrong house and pumped 100 gallons of oil into a basement with no oil tank.
After the mistake, Tina said, “Clean-up has stopped because of the fact that we have to wait for the oil samples to come back and they haven’t come back yet.”
In other words, Tina was forced to wait to clean up the oil left in her basement.
The oil tank was previously removed from the basement and the home passed inspections three different times.
There was never any concern about the removal of the oil tank even though the fill pipes remained.
But the state law says the fill pipes are supposed to be removed if tanks are removed.
Tina told local media, “Please if you do not have an oil tank, make sure you get rid of the pipes outside of your house. It’s a law that those are supposed to be removed when your oil tank is removed. I didn’t know that.”
In the end, the oil company’s insurance will be paying for the cleanup of the mistake.
She said, “An adjuster is coming today to go through this, which I don’t know how he’s going to do that, but he’s going to be going through everything.”
The heating oil company that made the mistake said they were cooperating with agencies to make sure the situation was resolved.
I have never lived in a home that uses heating oil as its main source of heat.
However, depending on where you live, heating oil may be the most efficient and cost-effective way to heat a home.
But even if you don’t have a home that uses heating oil, there is another important tool that uses oil that can be great for emergencies.
What is an oil lamp/lantern?:
As you know, oil lamps are an ancient tool which is made to produce light using an oil-based fuel source.
They are similar to a candle, but with a fuel source that feeds the wick. The oil gets drawn up the wick and burns.
Oil lamps have been used for thousands of years, but have been refined and modernized.
Benefits of using oil lamps:
One of the best things about using oil lamps is that they provide a lot of light.
They are more effective and brighter than a candle.
One or two oil lamps can light up a room well.
Another advantage of oil lamps is that they are relatively inexpensive.
A high-end oil lamp sells for about $60, but you can find them as cheap as $10.
Which means they’re affordable enough that you could store as many as needed for an extended power outage.
The fuel and wicks used in oil lamps will last a long time if stored properly.
So, you don’t have to worry about a battery going dead or fuel going bad.
You can stockpile as much or as little oil as you think you’ll need.
Drawbacks to oil lamps:
While oil lamps are better than a candle, they still use a flame so you have to be cautious from a safety standpoint.
Also, lamps use fuel, which means you’ll need fuel stored in your home to last during a survival situation – and that could also pose a hazard.
Oil lamps produce carbon monoxide, and the more you have burning, the more carbon monoxide is flowing into your home.
So, you’ll have to ensure you have proper ventilation when using an oil lamp.
Also, you will want to make sure you have a carbon monoxide detector in your home if you use an oil lamp.
Good oil lamps:
Dietz Hurricane Oil Lamp:
The Dietz oil lamp is designed after an antique railroad oil lamp, and comes in a variety of colors and includes a lamp globe burner and wick.
The Dietz has a burn time of about 11 hours and works with kerosene or paraffin lamp oil.
It sells for around $35 depending on the exact model.
Stansport Hurricane Lantern:
The Stansport is a 12-inch oil lantern made with metal construction.
It has a glass globe and adjustable wick so you can control the brightness of the lamp.
It is fueled by kerosene or standard lamp oil, has a burn time of 20 hours, and comes in three color options.
The Stansport sells for about $25.
Vermont Oil Lanterns:
The company Vermont Oil Lanterns makes Amish-style lanterns with amber glass and solid brass. The lamps are not only useful but have an old-fashioned look.
They have low fuel consumption and a burn time of about 10 hours.
Depending on the specific model the lanterns are about 6 inches tall and come in three different color options.
Vermont oil lanterns start around $50 and go up from there.
Oil lamps wouldn’t be my first choice to take with me when bugging out.
But if you are dealing with power outages and need long-lasting light, oil lamps can be a good option if you’re hunkered down in place, or at your bug out locations.
