How to Stay Warm without Electricity

Many are caught in the mixed winter storms at this time. It is a very scary situation when you are faced with this. My brother even cut off his thumb one year when his electricity was off by chopping wood for his fireplace. This is a very serious and deadly time of the year.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Gas powered Generator
• Layers of Clothing
• Sheets, Blankets, Plastic
• Kerosene heater

1. When you electricity goes out the ideal item to have during the winter is a gas powered generator. But face it folks not everyone can afford them. If you can I suggest you get one large enough to at least run your heat whatever it may be. Unfortunately even gas furnaces need electricity.
2. The fireplace is a very good source of heat. Of course you have to have wood or enough gas to run it. But I believe this to be the best sort of heat you can use. I am not an expert mind you but I have been caught in a winter storm without electricity. It lasted only 3 days but that was 3 days of trying to stay warm and learning the hard way.
3. If a generator or fireplace is not available, the next best thing is a kerosene heater. You have to be extremely careful with this as they can produce carbon monoxide (a poisonous gas), nitrogen dioxide (which may cause throat and lung irritation), and sulfur dioxide (which can impair breathing). See warnings below on how to use the kerosene heater.
4. If none of the options above are available you will need to enclose one room for everyone. Put up sheets, blankets or plastic (or all of them ideally) over all openings and secure them tightly with tape or whatever you have available. A room with less windows and doors is recommended and preferrably a bathroom. Body warmth as everyone knows is essential so cozy up with someone.

Tips & Warnings

• Thanks to the Army Corp for the valuable information on the warnings below.
• Wear clothes in layers.
• Keep clothing clean and dry.
• Keep hands, feet and skin dry
• Drink water to keep from dehydrating
• Alcohol consumption increases susceptibility to cold injury by blunting shivering and accelerating heat loss. Alcohol increases urine formation, which may lead to dehydration. Alcohol numbs the senses and impairs judgement, so the individual may not feel the signs of developing cold injury.
• Heavy physical work and sweating in the cold leads to dehydration, which increases susceptibility to cold injury. Lean people are more susceptible to cold injury because they lack body fat, which is an excellent insulator. Illness, poor nutrition, and injury limit the person's ability to protect against cold injury.
• Maintain proper hydration and nutrition to reduce susceptibility to cold injuries.
• Precautions and suggestions on use of a portable kerosene heater.
• It can be used during waking hours to take the chill off an area only temporarily cut off after the chill is gone. Longer periods of time need adequate ventalation. DO NOT USE FOR CONTINUOUS HEAT