You Should Add This Water Lantern to Your Emergency Kit
During a power outage, it is important to have a backup light source, and while there are many options for battery power as well as solar charging, sometimes the power goes out in a situation where batteries and sunlight are in short supply. In a pinch, a good alternative is a light source that doesn’t need to charge anything other than water and salt.
Why You Need a Saltwater Flashlight in Your Emergency Kit
In some cases, batteries and solar cells will not help you. For example, storing batteries in a car can cause them to corrode, causing the flashlight to fail at a critical moment. If it’s dark outside and your power is out, a solar lantern won’t work. Sometimes using candles is dangerous or it is too humid outside to reliably use a candle. In such circumstances, having a light source that runs on salt water can be a big help. You can store table salt indefinitely as long as it stays dry, so it’s a practical supply to have on hand. Having several different light source options will make your emergency kit more adaptable to different circumstances.
How does salt water light work?
Using salt water to generate electricity occurs through a chemical reaction involving oxygen and magnesium. Salt water is conductive and completes the circuit between magnesium, which acts as a positive electrode, and oxygen, which acts as a negative electrode, thus producing electricity through the process of ionization. In an emergency, you can also use urine to power a salt water lantern if you don’t have access to salt or water.
Where to get a salt water lantern
While reusable salt water lamps like Waterlight or Maxell SaltWater LED Lantern are not widely available in the US, there are some limited-use alternatives that come in handy in a pinch. WATTerLight will produce 50 lumens of light for up to 140 hours using only salt and water. You can use WATTerlight more than once as long as it is stored correctly. The HydraLight Flashlight is a compact version that requires only water to activate, provides 72 hours of light and fits in your pocket. If you really need a reusable salt water lamp, you can look for sources on sites like eBay or European and Asian suppliers.
How to store a saltwater flashlight
Be sure to store the light in a dry place, and if you have a reusable version, dry it thoroughly before storing it between uses. This will prevent the magnesium charge from being released between uses. To clean the outside of the flashlight, use a damp, but not wet, cloth. Before packing the lamp, make sure the outer surface is dry. If there is a chance that the lamp will get wet, use a ziplock bag to prevent moisture from getting on it.