How to Make a Lights Out Kit or Blackout Box

Putting together a basic lights out kit can help you be more prepared for basic power outages and get ahead of the curve during the opening stages of a major disaster. Here are the items that I have in my lights out kit (also known as a blackout box) that will help me have plenty of light, be able to cook, and stay comfortable.
Olight Perun 2 Headlamp
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10% Discount Code: DIY10
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Other Recommended Gear
Energizer LED Lantern: amzn.to/2ZWuRGO (affiliate link)
Anker Power Bank: amzn.to/3bJD2Z6 (affiliate link)
AA Batteries: amzn.to/2ZVhIxG (affiliate link)
Eneloop Rechargeable Batteries: amzn.to/3bUEpEN (affiliate link)
Midland Emergency Radio: amzn.to/3nT3eq5 (affiliate link)
Tent Fan: amzn.to/3q5EGgq (affiliate link)
Mr. Heater Buddy Heater: amzn.to/3BML8ea (affiliate link)
American Blackout DVD: amzn.to/3GM4mEx (affiliate link)
P-38 Can Openers: amzn.to/3q2uZzd (affiliate link)
Bic Multipurpose Lighters: amzn.to/3EFC0Kg (affiliate link)
Carbon Monoxide Detector: amzn.to/3k6sjg5 (affiliate link)
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[@countrysister700]

During Snowmageddon, my $1 solar lawn lights charged by day (even snowing I stood them in a vase on my covered front porch and they really did recharge) giving me light indoors day and night. Also safe for kiddos to handle.

[@diypreppertv]

They work really well for areas like hallways and bathrooms where a little bit of constant light is a good thing.

[@loubzac3]

They are great. Used them during hurricane Harvey

[@davidgraemesmith1980]

Simplest form of safe lighting for a family bathroom is glow sticks or LED tea lights/votives 😁

[@vonitadustylgreen2914]

I have the battery powered led lights that hang up, flash lights, and a crank weather radio/ flash light, the emergency blankets, a butane heater/ stove, a battery personal fan, can opener, a P38 can opener, lighters, a good survival knife, a lg package tea candles, 4 regular sized candles, waterproof matches, among other important things.. Thanks to your channel. Stay safe. Stay blessed.

[@sandmanxo]

I found a good thing to have on hand during the TX blackouts is plenty of heavy duty extension cords and splitters. Luckily I had enough on hand to run both the deep freezer in my detached garage and a small space heater, the main fridge/freezer, and some led lighting in the house but wish I had a couple of more as it would have made thing easier. Also go with thicker 12 gauge extension cords as that eases the worry of the cords heating up. Another thing I was glad for was my tri fuel generator. I intended to use propane to run the generator but was glad I had 20 gallons of gasoline on hand as all 5 of my 20 lb propane tanks were used on the big buddy heater in the garage to keep the animals warm.

[@elizabethcope1502]

One of the maintenance men made me an heavy duty extensive cord plug in unit. It had 3 prong plug in. It was very long & extremely handy in the lab. God bless.

[@littleoldlady4154]

Thanks for the ideas on things to add to my bin. I concentrated on food and alternative cooking supplies for power outages in my bin. I have room and I have slowly been adding to it. I also have a snowstorm bucket with dried fruit, nuts and trail mix.

[@sherrywoodrum7577]

The little weather radios are great. We've used ours several times. Manual can openers are must-have! No Lizzie Borden shenanigans. Great video🙂

[@diypreppertv]

Thanks Sherry!

[@titanpreparedness]

Great kit man. A lot of people over look power outages. Its the simplest thing you can prep for and is far over looked

[@diypreppertv]

Thanks Titan, I agree. My philosophy is you can’t be ready for the big stuff until you are ready for the small stuff.

[@oldbloke204]

Another thing that I think is a great idea are the portable jump starters for vehicles. Mine has a torch built in as well as a lithium battery that can be used as a power source. Might also be handy for those that use portable inverters off their car batteries, not a great idea imo, and flatten them. Another thing that I scored for no cost were a couple of the small motorcycle type 12v 7ah batteries that were being changed out of a backup power situation on a time basis and chucked them in a plastic box with a cheap cigarette socket/USB adapter with alligator clips and I have a clunky but cheap power supply if needed. Nothing glorious about it but total cost was a few bucks. Thanks for the video.

[@diypreppertv]

Thanks for watching Old Bloke. I would love to get one of those vehicle jump packs. A future video may be a good excuse to pick one up!

[@oldbloke204]

@@diypreppertv Yeah they are a good thing. I'm just topping mine off now for a camping trip next week. I've never needed it but my brother goes camping at odd times with lots of kids and city parents so at the end of the weekend he runs around and starts all the vehicles that have flat batteries from doors being left open etc. I'm not sure what capacity the battery is in mine but I would be going for the biggest one you can afford. They will also jump bigger capacity engines obviously. Another interesting thing I have is a small battery charger that does all the small type batteries but also has the ability to use these same batteries as a power source via USB output. It has a 12v charging cable so can be charged in the car. 4 of those batteries like in the headtorch would give a decent capacity. The batteries can also be used to power other things as well so dual purpose. I love that headtorch btw as I have a bit (lot) of a weakness with torches and headlamps.

[@diypreppertv]

I probably will get a larger one. I sometimes have to jump cars at work and I never know how big the vehicle will be.

[@oldbloke204]

@@diypreppertv Yeah smart move. My brother tried starting a tractor with his and basically melted it.

[@chodkowski01]

I have the Milwaukee setup as well. I added an inverter to charge up the Milwaukee batteries from my car.

[@mnight207]

Good vid, JR. You know, it would also be a good idea to have a couple packs of glowsticks. Yeah, they are kinda spendy. However, they dont need batteries and they last at least 24 hours. I pick up a couple packs every time I go to Home Depot...you kind find them by the flashlights. You can also get the necklace and or bracelet glow sticks and have the kiddies wear them so you can always spot them

[@diypreppertv]

I probably should pick up some more. Thanks CM!

[@mnight207]

@@diypreppertv Yes sir!

[@markw.3743]

Awesome J R ! I have it bad here ... I have flashlights to help me find more lights !? My wife says I need professional help ! Lol Thanks Brother and take care !

[@diypreppertv]

Thanks Mark! That reminds me of the episode of King of the Hill where Hank used a little can of WD-40 to loosen the lid on a big can of WD-40. Lol

[@ronaldsimmonds1002]

Don’t be afraid of the dark. Be afraid of what’s in the dark! Just kidding definitely good to have back up lights for certain.👍🏻

[@diypreppertv]

Thanks for watching Ronald!

[@kaylawebb3081]

I like this idea!! Probably going to be my weekend project! Lol.

[@diypreppertv]

Thanks for watching and commenting Kayla!

[@gonzocom]

Excellent! Love this approach. Have you done one for water purification? I’ll search your vid’s. Thanks

[@diypreppertv]

I’ve done several for water purification! Thanks for watching Jesse!

[@diypreppertv]

Here’s one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5OsenSLd9uZi7M

[@Jor0716]

Hey man I know you're channel is going to blow up some day. Keep up the content!

[@diypreppertv]

Thank you!

[@klah2u]

Good tips

[@diypreppertv]

Thanks Alan!

[@milliemrrobinson1074]

Great idea, Jr! As always, another video full of great information!

[@diypreppertv]

Thanks RM!

[@countrypete]

Helping the algorithm

[@diypreppertv]

Thanks Pete!

[@siinamorin6251]

Good information, thanks!

[@ahhotep8]

Another useful video. I like those little lights from Harbor Freight.

[@diypreppertv]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@hollywinters5792]

Nice kit!

[@diypreppertv]

Thank you Holly!

[@thepreppingnethinim1254]

I got some of the harbor freight lights they used to have a coupon for them free. Had one for at least 10 years and hangs on the towel rack in the shower still works as advertised in a high humidity area. Not bad for free

[@diypreppertv]

I got several when they did the coupons. I have to admit that I don’t go nearly as much anymore.

[@donnadivineprepping9742]

This is awesome 👍🏽

[@diypreppertv]

Thanks Donna!

[@ibpositivemostly7437]

Cool video thanks.

[@jmontarsi]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Can you list some links to the fans systems?

[@sherrystacyrn589]

Boxes of the wooden kitchen matches.

[@makingd.o.123]

You can get USB battery chargers to charge AA and AAA that can be changed for a small solar panel or solar battery bank I have one and use it to recharge batteries for a few puck lights set up around the house

[@kimberlyhall6134]

Good video. Thanks mam

[@davidjones1393]

THKS

[@diypreppertv]

You’re welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@jukingeo]

First off great video! I certainly got some ideas to add to my "black out box". One of the things I still need is a decent headlamp, however, the Olite that you show, is ridiculously expensive. I was surprised to see that it almost costs as much as the HEATER! Would you recommend a light that is similar but is in the $20 to $40 range? Also, you didn't post a link for the large fan that you mentioned you use to cool your son's room. I am assuming it is a DC fan, but how is it powered? I tried to look up the name...is it O/cool?

[@farmermarshall]

I have one 100 watt solar battery with a pane l. Next up an 800 watt solar generator.

[@JosephDeAngelis318]

👍

[@DARTHDANSAN]

And luci solar lantern

[@adventuresphere7036]

Pretty sweet list. I sit here in the dark at midnight. Boyfriend is sleeping; so I rely on your description box so I don’t wake him up. Anyway! Your box looks black to me. How do you see it in a blackout? Might want to consider putting reflective tape on it just in case. I’ll be making this soon with your help, and your commenters😃😃

[@reginarandolph5223]

Link to fans please

[@markronck3415]

Funny thing I'm in Grapevine, TX. and see you really think like I do. Don't do videos like you do, but think the same. You sound like your in west Texas. lol

[@diypreppertv]

I’m a little further east in Texas, but I definitely enjoy camping in Big Bend. It had been way too long since I’ve been though. Grapevine is a nice area!

[@lylibu]

First!!!

[@diypreppertv]

Thanks Lylibu!

[@titanpreparedness]

Another grwat option for lighting is the eco worthy power station. I did a video recently comparing it to the now light and the biolite 620. All 3 are good options just different prices. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXyxhZRpmpKbm6c

[@edwinabbel3783]

Get a Goal Zero Lighthouse 600

[@DARTHDANSAN]

Portable power stations 🚉 like Westinghouse I gen 200. It’s good to have lots power stocked up