Thunder. Lightning. Snow. Ice. Though it's the middle of the day, the dark clouds block out the sun and make it look almost night. In the summer, raindrops pound your windows. In the winter, it might be freezing rain. Trees stretch this way and that. Then your lights go out.

What do you do?

Whether you are in the middle of hurricane season, or smack-dab in the center of winter, you might be affected by a storm. The right preparation is essential. If you lose power, the last thing you need to do is stumble around willy-nilly looking for a flashlight. Instead, make a plan for when the lights go out.

Our lighting experts have taken some time to select the best products and devise the best strategies to use during any power outage any time of season. Check them out:

1. Start simple.

Designate a spot for your go-to flashlight, and keep it there. You may want to use one with a glowing guide light or sticker so you can grab it in a split second. Make sure to test the batteries every so often, or invest in a light that charges on a crank.

2. Stay organized.

When your lights go out, finding essentials like your keys is infinitely more challenging. Think about the smaller items you need to access at a moment's notice, and attach glowing objects to (or near) them – an LED keychain fob, a mini guide light, etc.

3. Plan ahead.

If the power stays off for more than a few hours, what tasks will you have to do in the dark? If you're preparing a meal, cleaning up a mess, or even playing a board game, dim candlelight or a single flashlight beam just won't cut it. Think about how you might need battery operated task lights, hands-free work lights, or bright lanterns around your home.

4. Be safe.

For families with kids, or elderly folks, or if you are just by yourself in a house with lots of stairs, you really need lights you can rely on – even when there is no electricity. You may consider something like the ReadyBright system of flashlights, step lights, and ceiling lights to stay safe and comfortable. These LED lights detect the minute your power goes out, and come on immediately.

5. Remember your exterior.

Stepping outside your house at night when the power is out can be really creepy and dangerous. When prepping for a possible outage, ask yourself about any potential mishaps that could happen if you go outside in the dark. Could you trip down steps? Stumble on a long path to the driveway? Would certain doors or windows be more susceptible to break ins? Add battery operated path lights, step lights, or spotlights to these areas. Just make sure to keep extra batteries!