Welcome! Storms are always far more "fun" to follow when you ~~are afraid you are going to die~~ have skin in the game.
Let's see. Sales tax relief week starts May 31. Get some lanterns like these, which are awesome. And make sure you get flood insurance. If you are renting, make sure you get rental insurance.
Good luck! Hurricanes honestly bring out the best in Floridians, so when the big one is coming, we do pull together.
I saw these posted here a week or so ago. I had to pick up a 4 pack. I’m gonna keep one and give the other 3 away. I predict a rough winter, so these might come in handy. Here is a link to the Amazon price: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01C5QSENQ
First impressions are positive, simple to use and plenty bright enough for lighting a room.
I got a set of these for my folks in case of rolling black outs. So far only had to use it once, batteries lasted overnight. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NPLSZF8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fab_lhbzFb2QCCFNM
You can also buy a case for it , the bottom part makes it more stable and the top will protect the glass.
How did you get it for free? This is a great lantern.
The TLR 1 will definitely fit without any modding. But if you want it to sit closer to the trigger guard, you'll need to mod one of the keys. This post has a pic of what mine looks like after the mod...I personally think it looks better like that. But to each their own.
I modded the 92 key only because I don't have a Beretta 92, but I do own Glocks, so I wanted to save the GL key. You can also purchase a new set of all the keys on Amazon for like $11 If you do need to replace one later on.
If it's summer, how hot does it get? Do you rely on AC? Because that would be a concern with candles and cooking. You don't want flames inside if it's hot. (And are you sure your gas stove runs when there is no power? The newer ones apparently need electricity. Better to find out now.)
I'm in Florida, so my power loss prep is geared for the summer, too. (Hurricanes.) I find camping gear to be wonderful.
Instead of candles, I do little LED lanterns. They last forever and are really bright.
For cooking, I do a camp stove that runs on butane. I set mine up on the front porch, and it worked a charm.
And if you need to be cool or at least circulate air, a 10 in battery-operated fan is wonderful.
Thing above stove is a pull out lantern, I believe. I have a couple for car camping, and they are ok for that, but they're very heavy and unnecessary.
Candles are great during the winter but hellacious in the summer. Candles are a heat source and if you lose power during a heat wave, you do NOT want more heat in your house. Plus fire danger and smoke and lack of ventilation...
I go with those small LED camping lanterns. Get these and a big pack of AA batteries, and you're set for days.
I also go for battery operated pillar candles. They operate on a timer so 6 hrs on, 18 hrs off. A few are enough to light a room in a nice ambience and they work daily for a few months.
These collapsable lanterns and this rechargeable spotlight are awesome.
I live in Texas and last year hell literally froze over. No power for 2 days, though other areas were without power for longer. Had to quickly fix a busted pipe in our attic before the ceiling collapsed. The aforementioned lanterns/flashlight were our saving grace during that time.
I don't know where you live but the last time my power went out was during hurricane Julia in 2016 and before that hurricane Fay in 2008 (briefly). So, not "more common" here.
I use these LED camping lanterns. They're great: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NPLSZF8
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Instead of running everything electric, can you replace a few things with an alternative fuel/power source? Like run some buddy heaters(as someone else said- the are other options too, like kerosene). Swap out the electric hotplate for a camp stove. Probably skip the microwave altogether. Use battery operated lamps, flashlights or headlamps. On Amazon, there are solar lanterns, you can set then out in the daylight and bring them in at night.
I don't think the battery banks you're looking at can support the load you want to put on them. But you weren't very specific about what you plan to get. You might spend more on then than you would a whole home system.
this thing you can get 2 for ~$2,500. If you get 4 that's $5,000. That's about where a whole home system hovers if you search it up on Google. You save a bunch if you install it yourself(it looks like). But also, these battery bank things are only good for one charge. Your plan is 12 hours. The power was off for 2 weeks in some places. Please don't get married to this idea.
I think diversifying your preps would be the best option. Having an electrical back up is great but I don't think you can run all the things you want unless you drop the coin to get the whole home system sized and installed by a professional.
Even better if you get some of the ones that come in a 4 pack that have the adjustable light. I have these and enjoy them. Like Late said put one as high as possible and then the other ones can go in a tent or I will also leave it barely opened to light a path around guy wires or if there are big obstacles at the camp site.
Fair enough. Let's go places.
For lights, I recommend LED lanterns similar to these. They come in a dozen different brands; I just picked the first ones listed. They worked beautifully in Feb.
Deal link: Amazon
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If you have a few dollars, buy this four pack of camping lamps: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NPLSZF8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
VERY bright and small enough to be portable. I hung a few on the bedroom doors. That plus a headlamp (Amazon had a bunch of them....and then all the el cheapos sold out) will be seemingly a great starting point for darkness in your home and you won't need to worry about candles + can take it outside easily.
I found this adapter on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/G-WORKS-Adapter-camping-Propane-Lindal/dp/B00U776PXM, which is exactly what I'm looking for but the other way around.
I suggest spraying your yard with bug spray to deter fleas, ticks and mosquitos. Check the area for places where there is standing water like dips in the land that hold puddles after raining and objects that will collect water. Fill them in or cover them. And I use the below lantern and it works great. I have one on my back porch and as someone that usually gets 10-15 bites when outside for short periods of time, it works wonders.
Thermacell Scout Mosquito Repellent Camp Lantern; Backyard to The Backwoods, The Battery-Operated, DEET-Free, Versatile, Compact, Lightweight, Camping Gear Creates 15-Foot Zone of Mosquito Protection https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BE8JFEI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Tk7wFb5V0RPHT
Just the usuals, bottled water, canned food, manual can opener, battery powered lanterns, battery/crank weather radio, etc.
When you move into your new place take a look at the trees around your apartment, if it looks like they haven't been cared for in a while call management and ask that they trim them over the summer. Trees were a major source of problems during Irma.
If you're on the ground floor, check if you're in a flood zone.
No, actual candles... It isn't going to keep your car at room temp, but it is suprisingly warm...
I have:
UCO Anodized Original Candle Lantern Kit (Anodized Green) https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B006WG9W6E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Mr4SAb3BQ0VGA
Or a bigger one:
UCO Candlelier Deluxe Candle Lantern (Yellow) https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B000F7DIHK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_yo4SAbH7R0T37
Agreed on the flashlights Get some LED lanterns. Three AA batteries run them for 12 hours at 60 lumens, and you can get a 4 pack of lanterns from Amazon for $26, batteries included.
These Etekcity lanterns work great and are very inexpensive.
https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Portable-Outdoor-Batteries-Collapsible/dp/B01C5QSENQ/ really good deal IMHO. I have them, they have really good light. I placed them around my apartment so i always have one near me.
Forgive me if I'm just not finding it, but the only thing I can find (or the closest, in terms of looks, at least) is this generic lantern, which has great reviews but isn't a Thorfire it's just visually similar.
Searched both Thorfire Lantern, THorfire HL02, and a few others to try and find it - the only Thorfire lantern that shows up are the colorful ones that have the accordion-style light cover.
Great battery life, uses AA battery, and very very bright in all directions, so it offers great lighting.