Site set the timer to 18 seconds

Web timer for 18 seconds

While filling an emergency lamp with kerosene, you are likely watching the wick, steadying the container, and avoiding spills at the same time. A timer set for 18 seconds gives you a brief checkpoint without pulling your attention away for long. It suits a small top-up rather than a full refill, especially during a brownout when you want the lamp ready quickly.

As you keep the funnel steady and watch the fuel level, the alarm needs to remain noticeable over conversation, an electric fan, street traffic, or rain on a metal roof. Set the phone close enough to hear but away from the kerosene and any damp surface. If the room is noisy, vibration on a solid table can add a cue, though the signal may still be missed if the device is buried under cloth.

While your hands stay occupied with the lamp, a phone is usually easier to place within hearing distance than a laptop. A laptop can work from a nearby table, but its alert may be harder to hear across a room, and carrying it near the filling area is awkward. Keep the chosen device on a dry, stable surface, pause pouring when the alarm sounds, and check the fuel level before replacing the cap.