To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.
Ecc. 3:1
To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.
Ecc. 3:1
We’re shifting from the yard to the house this month, with some things to do in a power outage during cold weather, according to the Farmers' Almanac.
LIghts
It’s best to use flashlights or battery-powered (LED) lanterns rather than candles to prevent accidental fires. Attach a strip of glow-in-the-dark tape to your flashlights to make them easy to find.
If candles are all you have on hand, be careful not to leave them (or fuel-lit lamps) unattended. Use secure candle holders, and be sure to have a supply of lighters or matches to light the candles with.
Your cell phone can be used for light but it will drain the battery. You can increase your battery life by plugging your phone into a portable USB battery pack.
Headlamps or a small flashlight that clips onto your clothes are very helpful. These allow you to have both hands free to do tasks, and you can even read a book while wearing one.
Heat
Select one room in which people—and pets—can spend most of their time together. Pick a room with few or no windows on the south side for maximum heat during the day, and layer up with warm clothing.
Shut doors to rooms you aren’t using to avoid wasting heat, and stuff rags or thick towels in cracks under doors and windows where you feel a draft.
Drape all windows with blankets, comforters, or quilts. Uncover south-facing windows during the day to let in the Sun’s warmth.
Make a list (in advance) of shelters and hotels that allow pets, in case you need to evacuate with yours.
Definite Don’ts
Never burn charcoal for heating or cooking indoors.
Never use your oven as a source of heat.
Never, ever use a generator inside an enclosed area, including a garage. Generators need to be used far outside of the home in areas that are well-ventilated, and they need wiring that’s the proper size and gauge so they can handle whatever load you’re putting on it.
Cooking and Eating
First, to avoid the pre-storm rush to the store for bread and milk, stock your pantry with some nonperishable items, such as snack bars, cereal and shelf-stable milk.
Open your refrigerator or freezer door only when absolutely necessary. If the door stays closed, a refrigerator without power will keep food safe for four hours. A full freezer will keep its temperature for 48 hours (or 24 hours if half full).
Store food outside if the temperature is cold enough (40 degrees or less). Keep it in a cooler or some type of container that animals can’t get into. Monitor the temperatures with a thermometer.
Eat foods you know are safe from spoiling, like canned foods such as vegetables, beans, and soups.
Water Lines
Open the cabinet doors under sinks to allow warmer air to circulate around the pipes, and leave faucets steadily dripping.
If you think your power will be out for a long time or if you’re not going to be home, turn off the water at the meter or water supply to your house then turn on the faucets throughout your house and leave them open to let them drain out.
My childhood friends and I didn’t do this, but I recently heard a co-worker talking about her kids wearing their pjs backwards in an attempt to make it snow. I asked Google about it, and it took me to a site called Petosky Provisions, Gifts, & Wisdom that had this information about kids’ snow rituals:
Wear your PJs inside-out and backwards.
Put a spoon under your pillow when you go to bed.
Put a white crayon in the freezer, and when you go to bed take it out of the freezer and put it under your pillow.
Put ice cubes on the front porch.
Flush ice cubes down the toilet.
Run around the dining table five times before you go to bed.
I’m wondering if there is anything you can do to make it go away!