How to Make Emergency Candles from Stuff You Already Have at Home

What if we told you that you can make a candle—a real, working one—out of everyday stuff in your kitchen?

Let’s show you how by telling you about two incidences:

🕯️ Story One: The Jar That Saved Dinner

Emma was home alone during a blackout. She couldn’t cook, couldn’t see her book, and couldn’t even find the dog’s leash. But she remembered something her dad once showed her.

She went into the kitchen.

Pulled out a small jam jar, a bit of olive oil, and a strip from an old cotton T-shirt.

In five minutes, she had a glowing flame. Enough light to find the dog, heat a little food, and feel safe.

This is the magic of an oil lamp.

What You’ll Need

• A small glass jar (jam jar, baby food jar, etc.)

• Any cooking oil (olive, sunflower, vegetable—all work)

• A strip of cotton cloth or shoelace

• A small square of aluminium foil or a metal bottle cap

• A match or lighter

How to Make It

Step 1: Make the Wick

Tear or cut a cotton cloth into a strip about the length of your hand. Twist it tight like a string. This is your wick.

You can also use a cotton shoelace (just cut off the plastic tip).

Step 2: Create a Wick Holder

Take a piece of foil. Poke a little hole in the middle with a pencil or fork. Push your wick through the hole—just enough to peek out the top.

Step 3: Fill the Jar

Pour cooking oil into the jar. Don’t fill it all the way—leave about two fingers’ space at the top. Drop your wick into the oil. Let it soak for 30 seconds.

Step 4: Light It

Use a lighter or match to light the top of the wick. It may flicker a bit at first—but soon, it will burn nice and steady.

Emma’s oil lamp burned for over 4 hours with just a few spoons of oil.

🕯️ Story Two: The Tuna Can Candle

Luca was camping with his family when their lantern died. No firewood. No torch. Just cold beans and shadows.

He remembered something he saw online.

He found an empty tuna can, a piece of cardboard, and some broken crayons from his sister’s art kit.

They had light in 10 minutes.

Here’s how Luca did it.

What You’ll Need

• One empty metal can (like tuna or dog food)

• Clean, dry cardboard

• Leftover candle wax, broken crayons, or old tea lights

• A pot or bowl to melt the wax

• A stove or candle to heat with (or pre-melt wax in advance)

How to Make It

Step 1: Shape the Cardboard

Cut the cardboard into long strips about the height of the can. Roll them into a spiral and stuff the spiral tightly into the can.

It should look like a cinnamon roll inside a tuna tin.

Step 2: Melt the Wax

Put wax pieces into a metal bowl or tin. Warm it gently over a pot of hot water. (Like melting chocolate.) When the wax is liquid, it’s ready.

Step 3: Pour and Let Cool

Slowly pour the melted wax into the can. Let it fill the gaps and soak the cardboard. Once cool and firm, it’s ready.

Step 4: Light It

Use a match to light the top edge of the cardboard. The wax-soaked paper will burn slowly, just like a candle.

Luca’s DIY can candle burned for almost 6 hours.

Why This Is More Than Just a Craft

When things go wrong—storms, power cuts, earthquakes—it’s not just about having supplies.

It’s about knowing what to do.

Being calm. Being smart. And using what you already have.

That’s what preparedness is. Not panic. Not fear. Just readiness.

Want to get ready for any emergency? Check out our 72-Hour Emergency Kit also including an emergency torch.