An unexpected failure after dark isn't certain doom. In fact, in an emergency, night flying has its advantages.
During the day, pilots sometimes get overwhelmed by options that don't drive action, squandering precious seconds with indecision and making an emergency more demanding. Night flying forces you to narrow your options and commit to a course of action sooner.
It all comes down to your planning. Put simply, good planning usually yields good results. Insufficient planning...not so much. Here are a few reminders to get you started quickly down the right path.
Altitude is life. Maximize your altitude at night to ensure you're not close to obstacles on the ground and have time to deal with engine emergencies.
Fly with a pulse oximeter and keep your blood saturated with oxygen. Degradation of vision and general awareness is more pronounced at night. It's a good idea to use supplemental O2 below oxygen-mandated altitudes.
Set personal minimums that discourage you from flying if there is cloud coverage that could force you into a corner.
Consider your approach options, including plans B and C if the original one doesn't work out. That means checking operations at nearby airports for traffic, NAVAID status, and amenities.
Know your emergency checklists by heart. Reading a checklist at night in the small pool of light from your flashlight is (at best) challenging and (at worst) a waste of time while you're trying to implement emergency procedures.
Flying at night can make you a better and more exacting pilot sooner than flying exclusively during daylight hours. Preparation, knowledge, and early decision-making maximize your ability to handle any situations you encounter, including the dreaded nighttime emergency.