Preppers know that disaster can strike any time, but the worst season to lose electricity is in winter. Before SHTF, stock up on hand warmers and extra fuel for a heater so you can stay warm at home even if the power goes out for several days. (h/t to PreparedForThat.com)
Before winter comes around again, make sure you prepare for a power outage so you don't have to worry about how to stay warm during cold weather.
Detailed below are 10 ways to stay warm without electricity.
Alternative power source
Winter can be an inconvenient season, but things are much more difficult if you also have to deal with a power outage during cold weather.
Before you lose electricity, consider investing in an alternative power source like a backup generator and stock up on extra fuel.
Body heat
If you are unprepared for a power outage, you can stay warm using body heat. Gather the whole family in a central room and sit next to each other so the warmth that people naturally have is passed on to each other.
Camping gear
If you're a prepper, you may already have camping gear in your survival stockpile. When the power goes out, use a camping stove to stay warm outdoors.
If it's too cold to stay outside, gather everyone indoors. You can stay warm using camping cooking bags with heat packs that produce instant heat after adding water. (Related: No power, no problem: 5 Ways to stay warm when the power is out.)
Candles
Candles can help you stay warm without electricity, but you'll need a lot of them for this method to work. You also need to monitor the candles so they don't cause a fire.
Follow the steps below to make a flower pot heater using candles:
You will need:
- Tea light candles
- One clay (terra cotta) flower pot
- Bricks, cement blocks, glass pans or a muffin tin (will be used as a steady base for the heater)
Steps:
- Set up the base and place the candles on top of it or inside it then light about four candles.
- Turn the flower pot upside down and set it over the lit candles. The candles will warm up the pot, creating a heat source that should last for several hours. If the candles go out, light them up again and replace as needed.
Huddle near the candles and the pot to stay warm.
DIY insulation
Create a heated area in your home by using blankets to cover windows and doors. This will help insulate a room.
Once the DIY insulated room is done, gather everyone in the room and huddle together for warmth. It's best to combine this method with a heater.
Gel fuel cans
Light a gel fuel can to stay warm when the power goes out. One can should last for several hours, but like candles you should never leave a burning gel fuel can unattended to avoid accidents and small fires.
Hand warmers
It can be hard to get any of your tasks done when your extremities freeze. Stay warm when the power goes out by wearing mittens and using hand warmers.
Hand warmers will provide instant heat when there is a power outage and your house heater doesn’t work.
Kerosene heaters
Kerosene heaters don't require electricity, but you need to stock up on extra fuel so you can keep using them when SHTF.
Wood-burning stove
If you have a wood-burning stove in your kitchen, use it to stay warm. Just make sure the room is well-ventilated and that the chimney of the stove is near a window so the smoke can escape.
Soapstone
Soapstones are very heat-absorbing and they can be used to heat your home during an emergency. However, soapstones require another heat source like an oven or stove.
Once soapstones are warm enough, you can use them as a bed or hand warmers.
Soapstone is a very soft stone, but it's not porous. Because it's solid, a soapstone can hold heat and radiate it twice as well as steel or iron.
Place a soapstone in the coals of a fire to absorb heat, then carefully remove it with tongs. Place the soapstone on a fireproof base and use it to stay warm.
Before SHTF and you lose power when the weather is cold, stock up on gear that you can use to stay warm even without electricity like hand warmers or a kerosene heater.
Watch the video below to learn about three off-grid heating methods.
This video is from the Solar Surge channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
Prepping 101: What to expect when the power goes out.
Prepper must-haves: What to stock up on before a summer or winter power outage.
Prepping before SHTF: How to store fuel properly.
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