Be prepared for a power outage

[catgirl]

We were unprepared for the recent ice storm that knocked our power out for 4 days. No
alternative heat source (haven't had our old fireplace inspected yet). Having 8 pets made
it impossible to leave.

The first night I lit (eek) tea candles. I was so happy that we had them. The temp was around
30 degrees, so not TOO bad. Luckily I stocked up on hot water bottles (3). As soon as the power
went out, I filled them up. Might as well use the last of the hot water. It was a savior!

I was able to get out the next day, so I went and stocked up on pillar candles. I figured it
would be safe enough (all out of reach of the pets). The night got really cold- 11 degrees,
but the 32 candles kept us warmish.

We did pull out our trusty little camping stove, so we could fill the hot water bottles, make
coffee and tea, and have a camp style bath.

With the 3rd night approaching, I became worried since the candles were affecting both mine
and one of my dogs breathing. The dozens of cheap candles probably had nasty ingredients
in them. So, here's the reason why I posted this- my husband came up with the brilliant idea
of setting up our 2 man tent in the dining room! It was 6 degrees warmer inside, and with one
hot water bottle and a dog, it was toasty warm! Note: there were no candles burning in this room.

I don't recommend candles (fire hazard). If you find yourself in a similar situation, make sure you
have a small tent, warm sleeping bags, hot water bottles, matches and a camping stove. You'll be
fine.

[sazemisery]

1. Another leasson to remember in a power outage

Air beds are COLD.:scared: You must have lots of blankets, comforters, etc UNDER you 'cause the air in the bed is cold.

[conscious evolution]

2. Bad candles

Always check candle wicks for a wire in them.The wire,used to make the wick stiffer,is usually made of lead.
Thats right lead.
And when it is burned it releases lead particulates in the smoke from the candle.

NOT something you want to breathe.

Good idea setting up a tent in living room.InMongolia the locals set up small tents inside of bigger yurts to stay warm.

[catgirl]

3. I had no idea this new ice storm was coming

I hope some midwest DUers read about the tent idea.

[breadandwine]

6. Not according to this --- leaded wicks are banned in the US ---

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candle_wick



The main problem may be that the candles used up the oxygen in the room.

Here's a neat trick:

Take one of those large tall candles in a glass, let it burn down a while so there is a column of air above the flame. (That might take many hours or a couple of days even.) Now take a porcelain plate and place it over the top of the glass to cover the column of air. Within only maybe half a dozen seconds the candle will go out. All the oxygen in that glass was consumed in that time. Multiply that in your head by hours and consider the candles you are burning and you will see that when you use candles in that quantity you are sucking an enormous amount of oxygen out of the air in a room. Same thing happens even just from running the pilot light in a gas stove.




It could also be the candles produced some carbon monoxide.


In fact, using fossil fuel results in some cities in the world having as little as 8% oxygen instead of the usual nearly 20%.


Thanks to the blessings of our fossil fuel industry, we're actually promoting the evolution of humans who can consume oxygen more sparingly and efficiently. Eugenics is fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In fact, by denying people unemployment benefits, food stamps and Social Security we're promoting the evolution of humans who can survive on potatoes and tree roots! Thanks to the MARVELS of Republican economics!!!!

[pengillian101]

4. So, here's the reason why I posted this- my husband came up with the brilliant idea

That was a brilliant idea! Good job keeping warm!

Power outages suck, but it is sometimes fun to improvise, eh? And candles can be mood enhancing.

We have lots of outages but they don't last more than 24 hours (so far, lol). Everything appliance we have is electric. The propane furnace doesn't work without electricity either.

Recently, our gas grill was buried under a mound of snow. What to use to heat food - aha - we had leftover spaghetti warmed up in a fondue pot heated by Sterno.

Just recently purchased some battery operated press-type lights.

Best wishes and keep warm!

[Tesha]

5. I never thought of that!!

Using sterno! clever!!!

We lost electricity for almost a week just before Christmas, and it's cold here in New England... Mr Tesha has a converter that takes energy from a running car and uses it to energize different parts of our house. Kept the fridge and freezer cold, ran the heat off and on, some lights... since we knew the storm was coming we gassed up the cars and we were ready. With a gas cooktop and lots of books to read, we were all set. It was sort of entertaining, trying to figure ways to do what we normally can do with just a flip of a switch.

[Warpy]

7. Even if I run out of scrap wood for the woodstove, I'll be able

to use the gas stove during a multi day power failure. I'll do several week's worth of baking and freeze it outside, transfer it to the freezer when the power comes back on. I will have depleted the freezer of anything that thaws by then.

For light, I use a head lamp with an LED bulb. Well, 4 LED bulbs in one, one LED bulb in the other. That shines light wherever I'm looking, which makes all tasks really easy to do.

I'm no fashion plate during prolonged outages, long johns under a heavy wool sweater under one of my mother's mink coats with wool hunting socks and down booties on my feet, ski cap on my head, but I manage.

Still, the combination of baking and a head lamp does me just fine unless the temperature really takes a dive, and then I'm afraid of pipes freezing although the cat and I manage perfectly well.

[lizziegrace]

8. Great ideas!

I was without power for 11 days in 1994 as the result of an ice storm. I keep charcoal and lighter fluid in the house (to keep it dry) and keep the charcoal grill close to the house on the covered back porch. I also keep a cooler in the basement and it stays on the porch if it's below freezing to keep milk and juice cold. I now have a gas grill too.

I didn't have a manual can opener and couldn't find one. I now own 2.

I also keep those hot packs (hunters use them to keep hands and feet warm) and keep oil so I can use both oil lamps.

I'll keep my eyes open for a small tent now that camping season is over. :-)

[Warpy]

9. Just don't use that charcoal indoors, no matter how cold you get

Even using it in a fireplace with the damper open is chancy. The stuff pumps out huge quantities of carbon monoxide when it burns.

Think about getting a head lamp, too. You can find them in hardware stores, camping supply places, and I've even seen them in some drug stores. It's one of those things you didn't know you needed until you got it.

[lizziegrace]

11. Wouldn't ever do that

although I know some would. I would keep the grill on the open back porch and use it for cooking. Too many tragedies with people using generators indoors and kerosene heaters improperly.

[txlibdem]

10. If you have a couple of hundred bucks

Solar panels can power your DC lights or recharge batteries during the day. Frys has one for a couple hundred bucks that is made for RV usage. Just a thought. www.frys.com

Here's a link to help you find all their solar panels
http://www.frys.com/category/Outpost/Sciencetoys/Science/Solar/Panels