Dr. Acula and Friends: Emergency Winter Prep Tips!!! (411) | |
ladyannie2009 User ID: 29734708 United States 12/30/2012 06:21 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | great info....even for those accustomed to sub-degree temps... "the truth will stand up, when nothing else will" - annie's mom "When a great ship is in harbor and moored, it is safe, there can be no doubt. But that is not what great ships are built for." - Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes |
Useless Cookie Eater User ID: 29696048 United States 12/30/2012 06:23 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Dr. Acula (OP) Senior Forum Moderator User ID: 74942 United States 12/30/2012 06:26 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Dr. Acula (OP) Senior Forum Moderator User ID: 74942 United States 12/30/2012 06:26 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Dr. Acula (OP) Senior Forum Moderator User ID: 74942 United States 12/30/2012 06:27 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | If the power goes off, switch everything off. Quoting: lightchild_uk Sometimes their are surges when the power comes back on. If you have you own grid tied power generation, disconnect it so you don't shock a linesman! Make sure your pipes are well insulated, you don't want a leak on top of everything else. If you have forgotten something in your preps, write it down and get it asap, so you don't suffer next time. Keep the kettle full at all times, and keep up with dish and clothes washing. awesome advice! totally forgot to add that! i'll add it to the op if you dont mind and credit ur post Of course you can. Thank you for this great thread. thank ye... gotcha in there! :) _______________________ |
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AKObserver User ID: 20331292 United States 12/30/2012 06:29 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Great Thread here's a few tips- we deal with this a lot in Alaska. If your using kerosene heaters in your house make sure it's not air tight and there is ventilation 100's of people die from asphyxiation/carbon monoxide poisoning every winter also only use K-1 grade kerosene. NEVER...fill or refill a hot or running heater. Here's a good source for safety info [link to nasdonline.org] Keep your water dripping kitchen sink, bathroom sink,tub it will keep the line from freezing also open up all the cabinets under sinks just that little bit of heat will keep pipes along outside walls from freezing. If your water does freeze make sure all the faucets are off if you leave. Friend came home to 5 inches of water in house last week when water thawed at 22 above. Keep batteries in your pockets and also any medication you have that cannot be frozen or that is in glass containers. Good Luck to you all. |
Cassie :-) User ID: 10262276 United States 12/30/2012 06:33 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | This is my first winter in Michigan from the south. I'm relying on a gas fireplace for heat if the electricity goes out. Is that ok? Forgive me if it is a dumb question. I just don't foresee an event in this little town that would take out the gas. Quoting: allisaTX Thanks OP this is a great thread. It reminds me of the "safe use of a generator" thread around the time of Sandy. Welcome to Winter in Michigan. Should have came last year we had a mild one. Gas fire place is a good idea, I rely on my gas stove unless its very cold, then we get the generator up and running. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. "...the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." I John 1:7 "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23 And this is the record, that God hath given |
allisaTX User ID: 25379369 United States 12/30/2012 06:37 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | This is my first winter in Michigan from the south. I'm relying on a gas fireplace for heat if the electricity goes out. Is that ok? Forgive me if it is a dumb question. I just don't foresee an event in this little town that would take out the gas. Quoting: allisaTX Thanks OP this is a great thread. It reminds me of the "safe use of a generator" thread around the time of Sandy. Welcome to Winter in Michigan. Should have came last year we had a mild one. Gas fire place is a good idea, I rely on my gas stove unless its very cold, then we get the generator up and running. Thank you for the welcome love the German food everywhere....I need to cool it on the sausage though! Frankenmuth is a cute little town, I live an hour or so from there. Last Edited by allisaTX on 12/30/2012 06:38 PM |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 23541672 United States 12/30/2012 06:38 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Half Past Midnight User ID: 781996 United States 12/30/2012 06:43 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | I've had the furnace go out one winter and we used the oven to make food to keep the place warm. We were living on frozen pizzas and other frozen foods and baking cakes, breads and muffins for about a week. We also had the power go out in the summer. If that ever happens, you do NOT want to be lighting candles-they heat the place up FAST. Use those candles to help warm you up in the winter. |
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Watdhel User ID: 31165375 United States 12/30/2012 06:47 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 17888588 United States 12/30/2012 06:48 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | During the holidays most $1 stores have battery operated candles that most people use to put in their windows. These are EXCELLENT in emergencies. I just bought a bunch because they are harder to find outside of Christmas. Also, baby wipes are SUPER cheap and will help you save water in a power outage. You can use them for fast wash-ups and clean-ups and a bunch of other ways. You can buy a huge pack of them for about $3 and change at most Walmarts. Just my 2 cents. |
Dr. Acula (OP) Senior Forum Moderator User ID: 74942 United States 12/30/2012 06:50 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | hmm sounds like your in ky? by the dates of the storms,im in southeast ky,london area ,radio charger is nice thanks for the tip ,i shall find one Quoting: Anonymous Coward 23541672 I'm in the coal fields one of those counties Last Edited by Dr. Acula on 12/30/2012 07:02 PM _______________________ |
Dr. Acula (OP) Senior Forum Moderator User ID: 74942 United States 12/30/2012 06:51 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | During the holidays most $1 stores have battery operated candles that most people use to put in their windows. These are EXCELLENT in emergencies. I just bought a bunch because they are harder to find outside of Christmas. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 17888588 Also, baby wipes are SUPER cheap and will help you save water in a power outage. You can use them for fast wash-ups and clean-ups and a bunch of other ways. You can buy a huge pack of them for about $3 and change at most Walmarts. Just my 2 cents. good tips! :) I'm adding the baby wipes tidbit to the OP _______________________ |
Dr. Acula (OP) Senior Forum Moderator User ID: 74942 United States 12/30/2012 06:54 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Great Thread here's a few tips- we deal with this a lot in Alaska. If your using kerosene heaters in your house make sure it's not air tight and there is ventilation 100's of people die from asphyxiation/carbon monoxide poisoning every winter also only use K-1 grade kerosene. NEVER...fill or refill a hot or running heater. Here's a good source for safety info [link to nasdonline.org] Keep your water dripping kitchen sink, bathroom sink,tub it will keep the line from freezing also open up all the cabinets under sinks just that little bit of heat will keep pipes along outside walls from freezing. If your water does freeze make sure all the faucets are off if you leave. Friend came home to 5 inches of water in house last week when water thawed at 22 above. Keep batteries in your pockets and also any medication you have that cannot be frozen or that is in glass containers. Good Luck to you all. good advice! added it to the OP with credit to you _______________________ |
Dr. Acula (OP) Senior Forum Moderator User ID: 74942 United States 12/30/2012 06:57 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Changed the thread title to Dr. Acula and Friend's Emergency Winter Prep Tips!!! cos i aint the only one giving out great tips thanks for the help everyone! Last Edited by Dr. Acula on 12/30/2012 06:58 PM _______________________ |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 15256858 United States 12/30/2012 07:03 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | When I was growing up ...at one time we lived in a house with NO heater, NO kind of heat. My mom bought us three Kerosene heaters and that is how we kept warm. We had a 55 gallon tank outside and refilled it about three times a winter. The cost for a full tank was $50. As an adult many decades later (in 2000) I moved to Atlanta and the power went out for three days.......I nearly froze and went out and bought two Kerosene heaters...then the power came back on. At that time in Georgia kerosene was cheap fuel. I never needed the kerosene heaters again there. I then moved to New Mexico and still have my two brand new/never used kerosene heaters. I know how to use them and care for them but out here Kerosene is absolutely prohibitive in price running about $8.00 a gallon. At that current price a 55 gallon drum of kerosene would cost about $440.........then to go over winter minimun would be a whopping approximate cost of $1,320 Wow we have sure come a long way in cost of kerosene from my younger days. Anyway......I got a Little Buddy and prepped up 6 tanks of propane. I wish I could get cheap kerosene out here but not. All else on your check list is pretty much already in my preps right down to the solar lights. Now I have another story for you about using clear plastic to cover windows. I lived in an apartment in ATLANTA...same one where the power went out. The windows were just terrible with huge drafts. One bedroom was especially horrible and got the full force of the winter winds. I went to Big Lots and bought heavy gauge clear plast shower curtains. I put on over that drafty window and duck taped that sucker up to the window real tight. The wind poured in that window so so much it actually caused the plastic to "bulge" outward into the apartment. I looked at that thing and was just amazed at how well the duck tape held the plasttic to the window and that is how I survived that window in realive comfort. Get the supplies now before you need them or wish to hell you had gotten them. |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 15256858 United States 12/30/2012 07:08 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Also...get lots of weather stripping and lots of duck tape to tape up doors. I also duck tape under all cabinets that contain pipes...like under the kitchen sink. These places are notorious for drafts. I stuff those wirey/coppery scrubbing pads around the pipes in the hole and then duck tape around and over them...closing up the hole. This will cut down on drafting from under sinks and in the bathrooms. Closing up all drafty areas of where you live will help tremendously. |
JUST HERE User ID: 25610447 United States 12/30/2012 07:08 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
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Dr. Acula (OP) Senior Forum Moderator User ID: 74942 United States 12/30/2012 07:13 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | When I was growing up ...at one time we lived in a house with NO heater, NO kind of heat. Quoting: Anonymous Coward 15256858 My mom bought us three Kerosene heaters and that is how we kept warm. We had a 55 gallon tank outside and refilled it about three times a winter. The cost for a full tank was $50. As an adult many decades later (in 2000) I moved to Atlanta and the power went out for three days.......I nearly froze and went out and bought two Kerosene heaters...then the power came back on. At that time in Georgia kerosene was cheap fuel. I never needed the kerosene heaters again there. I then moved to New Mexico and still have my two brand new/never used kerosene heaters. I know how to use them and care for them but out here Kerosene is absolutely prohibitive in price running about $8.00 a gallon. At that current price a 55 gallon drum of kerosene would cost about $440.........then to go over winter minimun would be a whopping approximate cost of $1,320 Wow we have sure come a long way in cost of kerosene from my younger days. Anyway......I got a Little Buddy and prepped up 6 tanks of propane. I wish I could get cheap kerosene out here but not. All else on your check list is pretty much already in my preps right down to the solar lights. Now I have another story for you about using clear plastic to cover windows. I lived in an apartment in ATLANTA...same one where the power went out. The windows were just terrible with huge drafts. One bedroom was especially horrible and got the full force of the winter winds. I went to Big Lots and bought heavy gauge clear plast shower curtains. I put on over that drafty window and duck taped that sucker up to the window real tight. The wind poured in that window so so much it actually caused the plastic to "bulge" outward into the apartment. I looked at that thing and was just amazed at how well the duck tape held the plasttic to the window and that is how I survived that window in realive comfort. Get the supplies now before you need them or wish to hell you had gotten them. That sucks about the price of kerosene! I'm not sure what it is here... i still have last years batch. lol it burns. I'll keep it for years i dont care. lol It was like 4 bucks when i bought the last batch. its sad how prices have changed! its damn right robbery! I know many people around here who use Kerosene as their only source of heat. awesome about the window! it just shows that trick works! glad ur preps are in order! :) stay warm, dry and happy this winter! :) _______________________ |
Dr. Acula (OP) Senior Forum Moderator User ID: 74942 United States 12/30/2012 07:18 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 15256858 United States 12/30/2012 07:19 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | I agree with OP ........get lots and lots more of those hand warmers, body warmers,,, toe warmers...whatever warmers you can stock up on. Also if you are using kerosene heaters YOUR HAVE TO HAVE A DRAFT. ........AND THAT FLAME BETTER BURN BLUE CAUSE IF IT BURNS YELLOW YOU ARE JUST PUMPING OUT COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF CARBON DIOXIDE...AND YOU COULD DIE. |
Dr. Acula (OP) Senior Forum Moderator User ID: 74942 United States 12/30/2012 07:28 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 27220276 United Kingdom 12/30/2012 08:05 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Not too sure about kerosene (paraffin) heaters as they give off fumes and alot of moisture. The UK tends to be very damp, with high relative humidity in winter. Ventilation is a must. But on that note, I do have one of those kerosene 'cookers' which can provide both a cooking stove and means of heat. Paraffin has sored in price so Instead, and for not much more money, I've a little of a very refined and safe Lamp oil for both that, and my small oil lamp. It is a vegetable oil that does not fume at all. Both cooker and lamp are unused but bought after Britain became a giant icecube in 2010. That was very very harsh for us here and it really brought home, that the cold can kill. Brilliant idea about shower curtains. That is advice I shall be taking. Thanks! |
TruthAddict User ID: 1106192 Malta 12/30/2012 08:13 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | STILL haven't properly sunk you teeth into improving your grammar, I see, Dr.Acula. HELP: It's: "Friends' ", and NOT: "Friend's", as you...bloody-well, mistakenly put it! Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha!!!!!!!!! Some vampire YOU are!!! Never watched 'Interview With The Vampire' ???!!!... |
Dr. Acula (OP) Senior Forum Moderator User ID: 74942 United States 12/30/2012 08:17 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | I wanna pass along to you a simple yet awesome way to make a candle... Like bacon? WHO DOESN'T?! (well a vegan might not...) For this project you will need a jar... Mason Jar/Canning Jar (no not the Masonic order,just a canning jar) or reuse a jar you get food in... like a spaghetti jar... etc (or maybe a smaller jar if you want) Take about a pound of bacon... fatty works best!!! Simply fry the bacon, eat the bacon or give it to others who are in need of bacon... Keep the grease that comes off the bacon... Try to remove any little pieces of bacon that are still in the grease... pour the grease into a glass jar... (FYI don't pour hot grease in a cold jar... otherwise room temp canning jars can take the heat...) if you dont have enough grease to fill it all the way up. Its all cool, dont fret just put the candle somewhere out of your way (no refrigeration required!!!) and fill it up the next time you make bacon! Now lets say you had enough grease... you want around an inch space from top of jar to grease... so you filled it up and its a liquid... let it cool until it solidifies... now take a chop stick or something similar and make a hole in the center for the wick. you can make a wick out of many things... for a quart jar take a piece of cloth or paper about the size of a dollar bill and roll it long ways very very tight and insert it in the hole you made in the grease. trim the wick to were about half an inch is exposed above the grease coat the wick in bacon grease and you got your self a homemade bacon candle!! It will give off a bacon scent... but thats a good thing right? It makes great gifts even if for novelty value to fellow bacon lovers!! and who is a Bacon lover?! EVERYONE... well almost Always remember to burn candles safely away from combustible substances and materials! and never fall asleep with a candle burning!! You can also turn a can of into a 45 day candle... for safety purposes i suggest scooping out the crisco into a jar... the can that the crisco comes in is flammable... a glass jar isnt... crisco + jar + wich = 45 day candle _______________________ |
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