Tag: Lantern

How to Choose the Best Lantern

There are many ways to provide light in the darkness. The flashlight comes to mind immediately, and it does a very good job.

Prior to the development of light bulbs and flashlights, people used torches, candles, oil lamps, kerosene lamps, and lanterns.

Some of us may think of a lantern as an outdated mode of lighting. Or at least nothing more than a decorative piece to produce some light and ambience at backyard parties.

But the fact is, today’s solar-powered lanterns are a modern convenience. They have a number of advantages over some other forms of lighting. Today I want to take a look at the evolution of the lantern before telling you what to look for in its modern form.

Tracing back to antiquity

The first mention of lanterns we’re aware of was in documents uncovered in ancient Greece. They’re mentioned by Empedocles of Agrigentum and the poet Theopompus.

Other countries of that time also used lanterns, including Egypt and China. They were made of paper, silk, or animal hide, along with wood and bamboo. Candles were the light source inside these lanterns. 

Eventually lanterns were made of tin boxes or cylinders with glass panels. They had holes at the top so the candle could get enough oxygen to keep burning.

In order to provide light at night for crossroads, lanterns made of iron baskets filled with wood knots were hung from poles and lit. Eventually they were replaced by oil lanterns using whale oil as fuel. Gas and kerosene lanterns followed.

Festivals and celebrations

In ancient China, fireflies were caught and placed in containers used as lanterns.

Some traditions with lanterns continue to this day in countries such as China for festivals and other celebrations.

The Ghost Festival in China includes lanterns in the shape of lotus (an aquatic plant) placed in rivers to symbolically guide the souls of ancestors.

The lighting of numerous paper lanterns also marks the final day of the lunar New Year in China. Some lanterns can be seen floating in the sky during this holiday celebration.

Becoming increasingly popular

More recently developed lanterns are electric and can be used for illuminating streets and houses. 

Lanterns are also sometimes used inside homes to light dark areas at night. They are also useful during camping and hunting trips.

Lanterns are seeing a big surge in popularity in recent years. Both for their practicality and appearance, but also for the ambience they add. They can be used on tabletops or strung as lights on patios. As well as on camping grounds and for RV trips.  

Due to their 360-degree shine radius, many people can benefit from their light at the same time. And, of course, they’re put into very good use when the power goes out.

What to look for in a lantern

Earlier I mentioned solar-powered lanterns. Batteries will wear out – often at the most inopportune time – so solar is the way to go. Plus, fuel-burning lanterns can be dangerous. Especially if used in small spaces without proper ventilation.

In addition to affordability, a quality to look for in your search for a solar lantern is its ability to charge other electric items, such as your phone. Make sure it has a USB charge port for that.

You don’t want a solar lantern that will blow over at the slightest breeze, so get one that’s stable but also easily portable. Make sure it is durable and weather-resistant, and has a hook for hanging.

Of course, the level of brightness is important. Look for a lantern that has 800 or more lumens. Which is the equivalent to the light produced by 800 candles or a 6-watt bulb. And if there are various settings for that light, including strobe, all the better.

You also want a lantern that is simple to use at the touch of a button, especially if children or grandchildren will occasionally operate them. Even a solar-powered lantern will contain a battery, so make sure it’s one that has long run times.

If you’re looking for a way to light up your indoor and outdoor activities, a solar lantern would be a great choice. Just make sure you get one that provides everything you need.

A Checklist to Help You Enjoy a “Cooler” Camping Trip

There’s just something about packing for a camping trip. Stopping by the grocery store to buy roadtrip snacks and food to cook over the fire. Packing up utensils and the cast iron skillet. Deciding which blankets would be best for a cozy night in the tent. 

There’s a lot that goes into packing up for an outdoor getaway. And there’s nothing worse than realizing you forgot something. 

So if you’re going camping over the next few weeks, you’ll need a well thought out packing list.

Fortunately for you, I’ve got just what you need. And to make it super convenient, you can print it out as a PDF and use it to prepare for your next camping trip. 

When you’ve checked off everything you’ve packed, toss your printout in a bag. It’ll come in handy when you re-pack to head home.

How to chill in the heat

Now, you may be thinking, “Frank, I’d love to go camping, but it’s still pretty hot out there.” Well, I’m here to tell you there are ways to stay cool in the heat that you might not have considered. Including having backup power for fans and other items. 

First, select a campsite that has some shade. Your tents should have mesh that allows airflow. A silk sleeping bag liner will keep you cooler than the typical sleeping bag. And use a battery-operated fan inside your tent.

Take a cool shower once a day. Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. Keep the sun off your head with a brim hat. Carry white washcloths in your backpack. While hiking, periodically soak one with cool water and wrap it around your neck.

Take advantage of opportunities to wade in a cool body of water. As you walk, eat juicy fruits that will taste refreshing and keep you hydrated. And drink zero-sugar sports beverages for the electrolytes.     

Don’t over (or under) pack

You probably won’t need everything on the list below. Just pick what works for you and your family or companions.

To me, camping is about getting away from the rat race. I want a different kind of routine when I’m away from home. It’s a nice change of pace to see, use, wear, and eat different things than normally. 

You can make do with less on a camping trip by reducing the clutter. At the same time, you can still take all the essentials. 

So, here’s the promised list of camping items. Which ones you choose could depend on whether you’re roughing it or heading to a campground where some amenities are provided. It might also depend on how long you’ll be gone.

General items

• Tent, with footprints, stakes and mallet/hammer
• Ground cloth/tarp
• Sleeping bags
• Sleeping pads
• Backpack
• Blankets and pillows
• Headlamps, flashlights and extra batteries
• Camp table and chairs (if the site doesn’t have them)
• Mini-grill or camping stove
• Lantern
• Clothesline with clips
• Toiletries
• First-aid kit
• Prescription meds
• Sunscreen and protective hats
• Insect repellant
• Lip balm
• Rain gear
• Extra clothing, including several pairs of socks and underwear
• Hiking boots
• Bandanas
• Survival knife
• Multi-tool
• Duct tape
• Paracord or rope
• Saw or ax for cutting firewood (if needed)
• Compass
• Binoculars
• Field guides for flowers and insects
• Whistle
• Walkie-talkies
• NOAA emergency radio
• Disinfectant wipes
• Documents including vehicle registration, insurance, reservations, etc.

Food/food-related items

• Perishable food packed in a cooler or ice chest
• Non-perishable food for snacking and meals
• Plenty of bottled water and other beverages
• Personal water purifier
• Fire starters
• Cooking, serving, and eating utensils
• Cooking pots, pans, plates, and cups
• Tongs and skewers
• Oven mitts
• Cutting board
• Tablecloth with clips or tape
• Canteen/thermos
• Coffee pot
• Can opener
• Heavy-duty aluminum foil
• Dishwashing liquid and sponges
• Paper towels and napkins
• Tupperware
• Zip-top bags
• Trash and recycle bags 

RV Essentials

Recreational vehicles are a great way to travel and camp. But it’s best to know what to take with you in order to handle potential problems with a new-to-you vehicle. Here are plenty of items to consider: 

• Your RV manual
• Drinking water hose
• Sewer kit including hose
• Surge protector
• Generator
• Electrical adapters
• Water pressure regulator
• Tire pressure gauge
• Emergency road kit
• Extra motor oil and fluids (washer, transmission, brake)
• Fire extinguisher
• Wheel chocks
• Rubber gloves
• Emergency brake cable
• Tire iron
• Tire patch
• Jack
• Leveling blocks
• Emergency warning light
• Fuses
• Well-stocked tool box
• Jumper cables

Stay powered up 

As mentioned earlier, backup power is important on a camping trip. There are plenty of reasons for needing backup power. They include charging up your…  

• Cellphones
• Emergency radio
• Mini-fridge
• Electric blanket
• Blender
• Hotplate
• Lights inside a tent
• Outdoor security lights
• Laptop or tablet
• Coffee maker
• Toaster oven
• CPAP machine and other medical devices
• Handheld electronic games
• Boombox
• Electric razor
• Mini-TV
• Blow-up mattress pump
• GPS unit
• Portable fans

Now you have a powerful list 

Without backup power, any of the items listed above could prove useless on a camping trip. Yes, you could get by without some of them, but what if you had to make an emergency phone call?

Or what if an unexpected storm was headed your way and you needed information quickly? What if your perishable food started to go bad? Worst of all, what if you needed to power up crucial medical equipment? 

Camping trips are a lot of fun and a great way to unwind with family or friends. They’re good for your body, mind, and soul. Just make sure you don’t forget to pack any of the essentials before you leave home.

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Act Now to Keep Your Yard & Garden Safe from Bugs

When we spend time in our backyards – and with spring approaching, it won’t be long until most of us will be able to comfortably start doing that again – we begin thinking about all the fun we’re going to have.

But there is a group that doesn’t want us to enjoy ourselves. In fact, they want to feast on you, your pets, and your garden.

I’m talking about bugs. Many bugs. Many different bugs. Right now, a lot of them are emerging from hibernation. A bunch of others are heading north toward us as our weather warms. And billions of them are just a twinkle in their parents’ eyes right now. 

To us, they are a pain somewhere to the south of our eyes. Their goal is to gain nutrition from our blood, the blood of our pets, and the plants in our garden. And I can’t ever remember any of them ever offering to pay for any of it.

Don’t provide a home where bugs can roam

There are many ways to try to keep ticks and mosquitos out of your yard. For one, take away their habitats.

Ticks love leaf litter, tall grass, and brush – so rake, mow and clear. Divide your lawn from any wooded area with a three-foot wide barrier of wood chips.

Mosquitos love standing water, where they can hang out and breed. So, drain those areas regularly. Including kids’ pools, flowerpots, buckets, wheelbarrows, and bird baths.

There’s nothing like a nice, shady area on your lawn where you can sit and relax. The problem is, mosquitos love shade too. Limit shady areas by cutting back trees and pruning hedges.

Bugs can carry dangerous diseases

Something we sometimes forget about when it comes to mosquitoes and ticks is that not only are they annoying and cause painful itching, they can also be dangerous to our health and that of our pets.

Some mosquitos carry diseases they can transmit to humans and animals. Including West Nile virus, heartworm, malaria, dengue fever and chikungunya. Ticks carry Lyme disease plus bacteria, viruses, and parasites. 

And there’s no way to know whether a bug is dangerous. They don’t carry signs. Any bite could make you, your children or grandchildren, or your pets sick or worse. 

Nobody wants something like that to happen, especially when we’ll look back and realize it was all so preventable. 

Avoid mosquito bites

Before I get to a great way to avoid mosquito bites, let me first give you some good ways to avoid them, as well as some good ways to treat them when they happen.

Use a mosquito repellent. There are over-the-counter sprays and rub-ons containing DEET. If you want to avoid that chemical, make your own concoction.

Mosquitos aim for thin-skinned areas because they can get to your blood easier. Apply the repellent to exposed areas of skin. Focus on your feet, ankles, lower legs, and wrists.

Bugs are also attracted to dark colors. Wear light-colored clothing when you’re outdoors. Long sleeves and pants can be helpful for avoiding bites. A thicker fabric with a looser fit is preferable to tight-fitting, thin fabrics.

Avoid the outdoors around dawn and dusk. That way your blood won’t be available to them during their favorite parts of the day. When indoors, keep windows closed unless you’re sure there are no holes in your screens.

Treating mosquito bites

Scratching mosquito bites usually makes them itch more and longer. That’s not a good “treatment.” 

If you break the skin while scratching, you can expose yourself to an additional infection. Wash the area with soap and water, then cover it with a bandage.

Ice will slow blood flow to the area, thereby reducing inflammation and swelling. Apply aloe vera directly to the bite to relieve itching and discomfort. Or press a steeped chamomile tea bag to your bite.

Some folks apply other items to their bites. Including honey, vinegar, and even an oatmeal paste. Others like to use hydrocortisone cream or take an antihistamine.  

Hey, bugs… bug off!

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there were a clean, quiet, odor-free way to keep your yard clear of the annoying – and potentially dangerous – bugs who want to spoil your outdoor fun?   

Fortunately, there is. This is the great way to avoid mosquito bites I mentioned a moment ago. The BugOUT Solar Lantern from 4Patriots features three different light settings and serves as a decorative light.

You can take this compact, portable lantern anywhere you go. It has a convenient handle so you can hang it on a tree branch at your campsite or on a clothesline in your backyard.

It’s lightweight (just one pound) but does the job. We call it the king of bug-zappers. With its solar panel, the BugOUT Solar Lantern charges in the sun.

And it’s rainproof and water-resistant. It both attracts and kills bugs. Without using pesticides or chemicals. And it cleans itself every 72 hours.

As great as this lantern is, it might not be enough to cover the entire area of your backyard or campsite. You may want to pick up several of them.

Protect yourself, your backyard guests, your pets, and your garden with the BugOUT Solar Lantern. It will keep your outdoor space safe by keeping bugs away.    

Here’s how to get yours…

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How to Handle “Heatwave Heathens” When It’s Hotter Than…

Why are mosquitos and other flying bugs more prevalent and annoying in summer than in other months? 

It’s mainly because most of them either hibernate or die when the weather gets cold. And because when the weather is warm, we humans tend to spend more time outdoors. 

What about when it gets really hot? Like in the upper 80s, 90s and even into three digits? Well, those temperatures usually result in fewer sources of moisture for bugs.

And that means they’re even hungrier for your blood than before. Plus, they’re now seeking shelter they didn’t need before. Which means they’ll get inside your home if they can. 

Highs in triple digits

The United States has had its share of heat waves this past spring and during the summer. And there is plenty of opportunity for more sweltering heat over the next couple of months.

Just recently, temperatures skyrocketed to 111 degrees Fahrenheit in Lawton, Oklahoma. As well as 110 in Abilene, Texas. Not to mention triple digits in Austin and San Antonio, Texas, and in Mountain Home, Arkansas.

But it wasn’t just the South that saw blistering heat. They’ve experienced high 90s in Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston and New York City.

A heat emergency was declared in Boston and a heat caution was declared in Philadelphia. Residents were warned to stay indoors as much as possible.

Disease-carrying pests 

Now, even if most of the U.S. experiences only average heat the rest of the summer, mosquitos and other flying bugs will continue to be a big problem.

They love warm weather and they love to reproduce. That does not bode well for humans. Even if these bugs were only annoying pests that caused itching, they’d be worth trying to avoid.

But some of them also carry diseases they can transmit to humans and animals. Including West Nile virus, heartworm, malaria, dengue fever and chikungunya. And there’s no way to know whether a bug is dangerous. They don’t carry signs. Any bite could make you sick or worse.  

In a moment I’m going to let you in on a great way to control these pests in your backyard and at a campsite. First, though, here’s a quick refresher course on avoiding and treating mosquito bites.

Avoiding mosquito bites 

Use a mosquito repellent. There are over-the-counter sprays and rub-ons containing DEET. If you want to avoid that chemical, make your own concoction. 

Mosquitos aim for thin-skinned areas because they can get to your blood easier. Apply the repellent to exposed areas of skin. Focus on your feet, ankles, lower legs and wrists.

Bugs are also attracted to dark colors. Wear light-colored clothing when you’re outdoors. Long sleeves and pants can be helpful for avoiding bites. A thicker fabric with a looser fit is preferable to tight-fitting, thin fabrics.

Avoid the outdoors around dawn and dusk. That way your blood won’t be available to them during their favorite parts of the day. When indoors, keep windows closed. Make sure screens don’t have holes in them. 

Treating mosquito bites 

Scratching mosquito bites usually makes them itch more and longer. That’s not a good “treatment.”

If you break the skin while scratching, you can expose yourself to an additional infection. Wash the area with soap and water, then cover it with a bandage.

Ice will slow blood flow to the area, thereby reducing inflammation and swelling. Apply aloe vera directly to the bite to relieve itching and discomfort. Or press a steeped chamomile tea bag to your bite.

Some folks apply other items to their bites. Including honey, vinegar and even an oatmeal paste. Others like to use hydrocortisone cream or take an antihistamine.  

BugOUT Solar Lantern

As we’ve seen, mosquitos and other bugs can be very annoying when we’re trying to enjoy the outdoors. And spread disease, both to us and to our pets.

So, let’s keep them at bay the rest of the summer and this fall. My suggestion for accomplishing that task is the BugOUT Solar Lantern from 4Patriots. 

It’s lightweight (just one pound) but does the job. We call it the king of bug-zappers. With its solar panel, the BugOUT Solar Lantern charges in the sun.

And it’s rainproof and water-resistant. It both attracts and kills bugs. Without using pesticides or chemicals. And it cleans itself every 72 hours.

Buy 3, Get 1 FREE + a $80.00 OFF Unexpected Discount

The BugOUT Solar Lantern features three different light settings and serves as a decorative light. You can take this compact, portable lantern anywhere you go. It has a convenient handle so you can hang it on a tree branch at your campsite or on a clothesline in your backyard.

So you may want to pick up several of them. And right now is a great time to do just that because we’re offering a Buy 3, Get 1 Free deal. 

And right now, there’s a bulk discount, too. You’ll save $80.00 when you claim the Best Deal. But we’re not sure how long we can keep that up. 

Protect yourself, your backyard guests and your pets with the BugOUT Solar Lantern.

Here’s how to get yours…