The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →If you have a flashlight or other battery-powered light, use it instead: the CDC and U.S. Fire Administration recommend battery-powered lighting during power outages. If none is available, a household oil-and-cotton setup can be described as an improvised oil lamp—not a tested or certified candle. It has an open flame, so use it only with close supervision and careful placement.
What to use for light during a power outage
Choose a battery-powered flashlight or lantern when one is available. The CDC says, “If the power is out, use flashlights or other battery-powered lights if possible, instead of candles.” The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) gives the same practical advice: “Use flashlights, not candles, if you have a power outage.” See the CDC’s power-outage candle guidance and USFA candle safety guidance.
A flashlight also avoids introducing an open flame into a home during an emergency. USFA reports an average of 20 home candle fires per day, attributing the statistic to NFPA; the year is not stated on the USFA page. The CDC warns that “Home fires are a threat after a natural disaster and fire trucks may have trouble getting to your home.”
How to make an improvised oil lamp with household objects
Published DIY instructions describe using cooking oil and a cotton wick or strip of cotton fabric in a container. The directions below are a cautious overview of that idea, not an official fire-safety approval or evidence that a homemade lamp will work reliably.
#1 Best Overall
- A Must in Your Emergency Kit: Complete your survival kit with the GasOne emergency candles for power outage! Long-lasting and clean-burning, these candles are a reliable source of light during blackouts and help you stay prepared in case of emergencies.
- Clean Burning Liquid Paraffin: Our survival candles are made with high-quality liquid paraffin that ensures clean, smokeless burning, without dripping or making a mess while keeping the air clean and your space safe.
- Long Burning Time: If you need a reliable and long-lasting source of light and heat during blackouts, power outages, fishing, camping, or emergencies, these smokeless candles provide 115 hours of clean, unscented burning, perfect to guide you in the dark.
- Compact and Portable: The unscented candles are designed to fit easily in your emergency kit or backpack so you can always have them at hand. Our candles are lightweight and compact for easy carrying, which makes them perfect for fishing, hunting, camping and outdoor adventures.
- Be Prepared with Our 8-Pack: GasOne emergency candle pack comes with 8 long lasting candles, perfect to complete your emergency survival kit and stay prepared in case of natural disasters, power failures, storms and emergencies.
- Choose a stable container. Use a broad, heat-resistant container that sits securely on a level surface and will not tip. Do not use a container that is cracked, unstable, or unsuitable for holding oil and a flame.
- Prepare a cotton wick. Use cotton string or a clean strip of cotton fabric, materials described in Martha Stewart’s household-object instructions and NC State Extension’s candle instructions. Keep the wick arrangement simple; improvised lids, holes, or hardware can add sharp-edge and stability hazards.
- Add cooking oil. Pour in enough oil for the wick to draw fuel, following the basic oil-lamp approach in those instructions. Keep the outside of the container and the nearby surface free of spilled oil.
- Set it in a safe location before lighting. Place the lamp on a stable, noncombustible surface, at least 12 inches from anything that can burn. Keep it where it cannot be knocked over and where children cannot reach it.
- Stay with it and extinguish it before leaving. Never leave the flame unattended. Put it out before leaving the room or going to bed.
Neither cited DIY source establishes a dependable burn time, brightness, safe operating performance, or certification for these improvised builds. Do not count on one to light a whole room or to burn for a particular number of hours.
What about an orange-peel candle?
A lifestyle method describes pouring olive oil into an orange peel while leaving the central pith attached to act as a wick. That is another possible improvised flame, not a tested or proven-reliable emergency light. The same fire precautions apply; if a battery-powered light is available, use it instead. The method is described by Martha Stewart.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- LONG-LASTING EMERGENCY CANDLE - The SE Survivor Series 3-Wick 36-Hour Emergency Candle (OD-3WSC100) is a reliable emergency illumination source. With a remarkable 36-hour burn time, this candle provides extended light when needed.
- DUAL WAX COMPOSITION - This emergency candle features a unique design with a soy wax top layer and a palm wax bottom layer. Combining these waxes enhances both burn duration and efficiency, ensuring that you have a consistent light source.
- PORTABLE AND LIGHTWEIGHT - Weighing just 3.6 ounces and measuring 2.75 x 3.13 x 2.75 inches, this candle is exceptionally lightweight and compact. Its aluminum reusable tin packaging adds to its portability, making it easy to carry.
- UNSCENTED FOR VERSATILE USE - The SE Survivor Series Emergency Candle is unscented, allowing for versatile use in various settings, whether you're using it during outdoor adventures, power outages, or nighttime activities.
- INDOOR AND OUTDOOR READY - This emergency candle is a versatile lighting solution designed for indoor and outdoor use. Whether illuminating your home during a blackout or setting up camp outdoors, you can rely on its long-lasting performance.
Rank #4
- 115-HOUR LONG BURN TIME EACH – Each CandleLife emergency candle provides up to 115 hours of burn time, delivering up to 460 total hours across the set of 4. A dependable source of backup light for blackouts and power outages.
- EMERGENCY & BLACKOUT READY – Keep these long-burning candles with your emergency supplies, blackout essentials, survival gear, or storm preparedness supplies for reliable illumination when electricity is unavailable.
- ODOR-FREE & SMOKE-FREE – Designed for clean, odor-free and smoke-free burning, making these emergency candles a practical backup lighting option for indoor use during power outages and blackouts.
- LIQUID PARAFFIN FUEL – Made with liquid paraffin for a clean-burning light source. Each candle includes a protective plastic cap to help reduce spills during storage and transportation.
- CAMPING & OUTDOOR ESSENTIAL – Useful for camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, climbing, travel, and other outdoor activities. The 4-pack provides multiple long-lasting candles for home emergency preparedness and outdoor gear.
Rank #3
- PREMIUM QUALITY: These unscented candles are made with high grade smooth wax that melts slowly with virtually no drip. Made from 100% paraffin wax, these small candles have a 100% cotton wick that is lead and metal free.
- EMERGENCY CANDLE: This package of bulk candles is must for every emergency survival kit. Keep it handy along with all other emergency supplies.
- MULTI PURPOSE: Great for household, emergency, blackout, power outages, utility, and school projects. They can also be used for vigils, churches, synagogues and religious ceremonies, dinners, weddings, parties and other special occasions
- PERFECT SIZE: These white candles will fit any standard taper candlesticks and holders. They are 4" (10cm) tall and .65" (1.7cm) in diameter. Burn time approximately 3 hours.
- VALUE PACK: Candles bulk package includes 2 x 12 count boxes (24 total), perfect to stock up with so you can enjoy the best in both quantity as well as quality.
Rank #2
- Dependable Emergency Light Source: Keep Sterno candles on hand for power outages, storms, and unexpected emergencies, each candle burns for approximately 100 hours, so you're prepared when the lights go out.
- Unscented, Clean-Burning Liquid Paraffin: Made with premium liquid paraffin fuel for a no-drip candle experience and no added fragrance. No mess or fragrance during an emergency.
- Stable Weighted Containers: Each candle comes in a durable, weighted plastic container designed to help reduce accidental tipping and resist breakage.
- Reliable Emergency Lighting: Keep this 6-pack in home emergency prepper supplies, blackout kits, car kits, RVs, and preparedness storage.
- For Indoor or Outdoor Use: A practical lighting option when dependable illumination is needed; always use on a stable, heat-resistant surface and follow all safety instructions.
Fire and fuel precautions
- Keep clearance around the flame. USFA specifies at least 12 inches between candles and combustible items. Keep the lamp away from curtains, paper, bedding, furniture, and other materials that can burn.
- Never leave a flame unattended. Extinguish it before leaving the room or going to sleep. USFA advises against lit candles in sleeping areas.
- Keep oil and fuel away from children. Liquid lamp fuel can cause severe harm if swallowed or aspirated. Health Canada advises stable placement and keeping lamp fuel out of children’s reach; see its lamp oil safety guidance.
- Do not use it for heat. An improvised oil lamp is not a room heater, and it should not be left burning while people sleep.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
