heat your home

It’s wintertime and the power goes out. If you’re like most of us, you’re not all that worried – you trust that the power will come back on soon. But when 12 hours goes by and you still don’t have any electricity, you start getting concerned. It might be days before the power comes back on.

For many of us, the quick solution is to turn to wood. Heating with wood is historically the most common means of keeping your home warm. Throughout the centuries, people used wood to warm everything from tents to palaces. It has withstood the test of time quite effectively, providing warmth for millions of people. That makes it a survivalist’s number one choice for a back up way to heat your home.

But it takes a lot of wood to keep your home warm. In a long-term crisis situation, you might run out of wood before the power comes back on. Or, perhaps your wood-burning stove is unusable. Whatever the case, you’re going to need another alternate way to heat your home. Here’s a few to consider:

1. Propane

Many people living in rural areas already heat with propane. Unfortunately, their forced-air propane heater won’t work any better without electricity than anyone else’s does. However, there also are ceramic heaters, commonly referred to as “catalytic heaters,” that can be tied into the home’s propane. These allow you to burn the propane for heat without having any need for electricity. They are extremely safe for use indoors.

New Solar Generators Deliver 4 Times More Power Than Previous Models!

These catalytic heaters also are available for connection to a portable propane tank, such as the type used for a barbecue grill. I actually heated a motorhome through a couple of winters with these, as they were much more efficient than the furnace that the motorhome was equipped with.

2. Kerosene

heat your home

Kerosene heaters provide a considerable amount of heat, without needing electricity. I used to heat my office with a kerosene heater, back when my office was an uninsulated attic in upstate New York. If you live in a part of the country where people use kerosene for heating, then the price is quite reasonable. But if not, avoid this one, as buying kerosene at the paint store is just too expensive.

3. Passive solar

Anyone who builds a home without giving it at least some passive solar capability is missing out on a great opportunity for free heat. Even if passive solar can’t heat your home, you will still save money on heating costs. Passive solar is reliable, cheap and plentiful, especially if your home is designed for it.

If your home isn’t designed for passive solar heating, you can still take advantage of it. Open the curtains on all your south-facing windows during the day and put something dark colored on the floor to absorb the sunlight and convert it to heat. While not a perfect solution, it will help.

The big problem for most people is having a thermal mass. This is a mass of rock or concrete that becomes warmed by the sunlight striking its surface. The surface, which must be dark, is called the absorber because it absorbs light and converts it to heat. If your home has concrete floors and you cover them with dark-colored floor covering, then you’ve got a basic passive solar system, even if the concrete isn’t thick enough to absorb much heat.

4. Solar convection

Another way you can take advantage of solar energy is to build a solar convection heater to heat your home. The easiest and cheapest way to make one of these is to cut the tops and bottoms out of a bunch of aluminum soda or beer cans. Glue them together, forming tubes out of the cans that are the height of your windows and leave an opening at the top and bottom. Connect several of these together, side to side, to fill your window opening and paint the whole thing black.

Since warm air rises and cool air drops, the cooler air at the bottom of the window will enter into the bottom of the solar convection heater and exit out the top, warming as it passes through.

Story continues below video

5. Coal

There are still many homes in the northeast which have coal bins and coal chutes into the basements, even though they are no longer heated with coal furnaces. Coal burns hotter than charcoal and will burn a long time. Essentially, coal is petroleum-filled porous rock. So what is burning is the petroleum, leaving behind the rock, which is referred to as coke. The biggest problem with burning coal is keeping it lit. It needs a lot of oxygen to burn, so you’ll have to have good airflow to the fire. It burns slowly, making it perfect to heat your home, but does produce a lot of soot.

In order to use coal, you’re going to have to use it in a fireplace or a wood-burning stove that is lined with fire brick. Please note that this is only an emergency measure, as the coal will damage the fireplace or wood-burning stove. A coal insert in the fireplace is better and will allow the coal to burn more efficiently. Don’t use coal in a metal, wood-burning stove without fire brick since it can get hot enough to soften the metal, distorting it. You absolutely have to have some ventilation, or your home will fill with the coal smoke.

6. Animal dung

Dried animal dung has been used by a variety of cultures throughout history for heating and cooking. While not anyone’s favorite, it works well. If you have livestock, you have a regular source of this heating fuel. Just allow them to dry naturally in the field and collect them. Surprisingly, dried animal dung burns without stinking up your home.

7. Burning flammable fuels

Gasoline, diesel, oil and other liquid fuels can be burned for heat if you are careful. The problem is controlling the burn rate. This is fairly easily accomplished by pouring the fuel into a sand-filled container, such as a number 10 can. The sand will act as a wick, controlling the burn rate.

There are also oil heaters that can be used to heat your home. Some of the simpler ones control the burn rate by dipping the oil from a tank into the burner. The Army used to use heaters of this sort, with gasoline, to provide hot water for field kitchens. So you might be able to find one of those heaters at your local army surplus store.

The big problem with this is that you’ll go through a lot of fuel quickly, so this should be considered only if no other option exists. Ventilation is essential.

8. Compost

The natural act of composting produces quite a bit of heat as the millions of bacteria eat the organic material, breaking it down into its basic elements. You can tap into this heat source by burying pipes in your compost pile. Those pipes can carry water to be heated or you can push air through them to heat your hpme. As long as the compost pile has a continuous source of organic material and is kept moist, it will continue to produce heat.

What tips would you add to this list? Share your advice in the section below:

The post 8 Foolproof Ways To Heat Your Home When The Power’s Out appeared first on Survival Browsing.

Listen To The Article

Livestock

Winter usually means the end of the growing season, shorter daylight hours, and possibly bitter cold temperatures.

That means your livestock will need to be handled very differently. The preparation leading up to winter will determine how well your livestock come through the winter months.

Preparation is Important

Following are some tips to prepare your livestock and homestead for the cold months ahead.

First, make sure your animals are in the best condition possible going into the winter months. Nothing takes more of a toll on livestock than to enter into the winter in poor condition.

Fall is a time to rid your livestock of internal and external parasites. That will help them gain and maintain their weight during a time when temperatures are lower and fresh green growth is not available. In cold climates, an enormous amount of calories are used simply to maintain body heat.

Get Dependable Backup Power Directly From The Sun

Livestock Need Sufficient Shelter

The next area to look at is your livestock shelter arrangements for the winter. The three winter rules are:

• Keep them dry.
• Keep them free of drafts and wind.
• Provide housing large enough to accommodate all the stock.

Not providing enough space for your livestock can mean injuries from crowding or more submissive animals being forced out in the cold.

Don’t confuse “free of drafts and wind” with ventilation. Any building structure needs to have adequate ventilation to keep air quality acceptable for the animals and avoid moisture problems.

Check buildings for loose or missing roofing, and repair any leaks. Keeping animals dry will go a long way toward keeping them healthy and comfortable.

The best way to cut down on wind chill is to make certain barn openings are on the downwind side of the structure. Know your prevailing winds, and position openings to be the least affected by the wind.

Livestock

Plenty of Clean Bedding

A common mistake is not providing enough bedding material for animals in the winter. It makes no sense to spare bedding while simultaneously feeding more feeds to keep the stock warm and maintain condition. If they are young and growing, it’s even more important.

An easy way to provide solar heat to your livestock housing is by adding some clear panels to the roof. If you have metal roofing, this is accomplished by removing the screws holding on the metal and replacing it with clear sheets of roofing material. This will add extra light and heat during the day that your stock will enjoy.

Fresh Clean Water

The time to check water systems is before the temperatures drop below freezing. Make sure everything is in proper working order and insulate or add heat tape where needed.

Livestock need access to clean water at all times. If they are rushing to get a drink when you break the ice on your water troughs, it’s a sure sign that they aren’t getting enough to drink. Water is the body’s temperature regulation system. Dehydrated stock have a hard time maintaining body heat.

Cold or wet animals eat more feed, have lower immunity, and lose condition during winter months. This can be avoided by making certain they have dry, draft-free housing with plenty of room and bedding for everyone.

Winter can be a trying time for livestock, but following these guidelines will help with creature comfort, and you’ll sleep better at night as the cold winter wind blows outside knowing your livestock are dry and warm.

What advice would you add on keeping livestock warm during the winter? Share your advice in the section below:

If You Like All-Natural Home Remedies, You Need To Read Everything That Hydrogen Peroxide Can Do. Find Out More Here.

The post How To Ensure Your Livestock Survive The Winter appeared first on Survival Browsing.

Fresh Pumpkin

Nothing quite says “fall is here!” like seeing the season’s first big bins full of fresh pumpkins at the local store. They’re synonymous with autumn’s holidays — jack-o-lanterns for Halloween and pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving.

Unfortunately, while the pumpkin may be popular in fall, it tends to end up being used for the same decorations and meals over and over. Nothing can beat carving pumpkins with the family or indulging in a freshly baked pumpkin pie, but there is a whole lot more you can do.

Here are 10 unique ways you can use the fresh pumpkin in your home this season.

1. Roast your pumpkin seeds

If you are a fan of sunflower seeds and nuts, you are missing out by tossing your pumpkin seeds in the compost. All you need to do is clean off the seeds, toss them in a bag or bowl with some melted butter, place them on a baking sheet, sprinkle with some of your favorite seasoning and bake for 45 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit. They are done when golden brown in color.

2. Make your own fresh pumpkin puree

Canned pumpkin puree can sometimes be loaded with sugars, preservatives and other ingredients you may not want to be consuming. Fresh pumpkin puree is easy to make and will blow store-bought puree out of the water in terms of taste.

I highly recommend a recipe by The Pioneer Woman (click here). She freezes her pumpkin puree for storage but some people choose to can it for preservation. HOWEVER, canning pumpkin products is not recommended by the NCHFP. I know some people who can and use their pumpkin without issue, but please do your own research on the topic.

Get A Backup Generator That Runs Silent And Needs No Fuel 

3. Indulge in pumpkin pancakes

Create a seasonally appropriate breakfast spread by cooking some fresh pumpkin pancakes. This recipe is similar to most pancake recipes so it will be easy to make. Add some pumpkin butter and/or homemade whipped cream to top it off.

4. Create a pumpkin chowder

Pumpkin soup is delicious and easy, but why not beef it up by making a chowder instead? I love chowders because they are so much heartier and filling than a thin soup. These recipes will surely fill your belly and warm you up on those chilly fall evenings.

Don’t forget that you can make extra when you make these chowders so you can freeze them in portion sizes for future meals.

5. Treat your livestock and pets

If you are an animal lover, don’t exclude your furry friends from indulging in nutritious and delicious pumpkin. You can chop up whole fresh pumpkin to give to livestock or give the fleshy guts to them instead of tossing it. Just don’t give them too much as it is rich and could cause an upset stomach.

Fido can also enjoy leftover pumpkin. If your pooch doesn’t have a peanut allergy, this easy three-ingredient recipe is quick to make. Simply mix a half cup of peanut butter, 1 cup of pumpkin puree and 1 ¾ cups of whole wheat or brown rice flour. Roll it out, cut out your shapes and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 to 10 minutes.

6. Use a pumpkin as a serving dish

Fresh Pumpkin

Bread bowls for soup are a wonderful idea, but did you know you can use pumpkin as a serving dish as well? You will need a nice, round pumpkin (small to medium in size) that will of course sit up on its own. Cut the top off like a jack-o-lantern and scoop out the insides. Place the pumpkin and the “lid” flesh side up on a baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for roughly 30-45 minutes. Once done, simply fill it with your soup, Thanksgiving stuffing or any other warm, savory meal.

7. Make fresh pumpkin butter

Almond butter and apple butter can step aside this fall. Make some pumpkin butter instead. This recipe is super easy and tasty. I would substitute the canned puree for the homemade one mentioned earlier as well as reduce the sugar and use brown sugar instead. This butter would be great on toast, pancakes or cake. It would also be a great homemade gift for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

8. Make pumpkin seed brittle

Another sweet pumpkin treat perfect for a Halloween or Thanksgiving party is pumpkin seed brittle. Making brittle isn’t exactly easy like baking a batch of cookies, but if you have some experiencing with caramelizing sugar, it should be a breeze. This Pumpkin Seed Brittle recipe will turn out perfectly sweet and salty.

9. Make pumpkin body products

Fresh pumpkin isn’t just good for the inside of your body but also does wonders on the outside. Ladies, you can use pumpkin as a body care product in the form of face masks, lotions, exfoliants, etc.

Check these out:

These recipes are a nice indulgence, but don’t forget about Christmas! Package them in airtight containers, add some decorations along with a tag with directions on use and you have wonderful handmade gifts or stocking stuffers for the women in your life.

10. Use carving-free pumpkin decorating ideas

Last but not least, you can keep your Halloween decorations around for longer or even use them in some recipes after a few weeks of being out but not carving them. Check out some unique pumpkin designs for Halloween and Thanksgiving that don’t require carving.

What are your favorite ways to use fresh pumpkins? Please share your recipes, decorating ideas and any other tips in the comment section below!

The post Unique Off-Grid Ways You Can Use A Fresh Pumpkin This Fall appeared first on Survival Browsing.

There are lots of ways to stay cool off-grid without air conditioning.

Since I am living in a century-old home off-grid without air conditioning during what is shaping up to be the hottest summer on record in the Pacific Northwest, I am learning some lessons on staying cool.

First, we need to take heat seriously. Heat can be a killer. Heat waves kill more people each year in the United States than all of the other natural disasters combined. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 400 Americans die from heat-related illnesses in a typical year. That number is more than deaths from winter storms, extreme cold, floods, lightning, tornadoes and hurricanes put together.

So what are some low-cost, low-energy ways to keep cool– or at least somewhat comfortable – during a heat wave, off-grid without air conditioning. Here are a dozen “hot” ideas:

1. Change your activity schedule. Whenever possible, perform chores and other outside activities during the coolest part of the day. You may need to start earlier or end later, depending on when you get your cooler temperatures, but it will be well worth it.

2. Stay hydrated. Your body gets dehydrated much more quickly during extreme heat. Sweating, the human body’s main cooling mechanism, uses your body’s water. Our perspiration does not evaporate easily when the air itself is full of moisture, so we feel hotter on humid days.

Get An Endless Supply Of Free Electricity From The Sun

To compensate, you need to drink more water in hot weather and even more in hot, humid weather. If you feel thirsty, you are already on your way to becoming dehydrated. This summer, I have gotten into the habit of taking a water bottle with me pretty much everywhere I go.

3. Use a spray bottle. And fill it with water or a damp washcloth, damp bandana or commercially-sold “cooling towels” to help reduce your body temperature. Apply them on your forehead, behind your neck and on your feet for quick relief.

4. Wear loose, natural-fiber clothing in light colors. According to Cotton Council International, loose cotton clothing allows air circulation, which helps absorb perspiration and helps keep your body dry and cool. Light colors help light to pass through the fabric instead of being absorbed by the fabric. This is one of the  off-grid without air conditioning methods.

5. Use window coverings. I love summer sunshine, but there is such a thing as too much of a good thing this time of year. Keep shades and curtains drawn to reduce heat in your home when the sun is out.

6. Create cross ventilation. Keep windows open – especially windows that are on opposite sides of the home – to creates cross breezes. Install screens on windows and doors to keep insects out. As the day heats up, shut some windows to retain some of the cooler air. This is a off-grid without air conditioning method for survival.

7. Use fans. Window fans, ceiling fans and room fans don’t cool the air, but they do help air to circulate and therefore, provide relief. To cool the air a bit, try making an old-fashioned “swamp cooler” by placing a bucket or pan of ice or ice water in front of a fan. Invest in some battery-operated fans.

8. Minimize use of appliances. Your oven will heat up your kitchen. Limit its use by having cold suppers or by grilling outdoors. Dry your laundered clothing items on a line to reduce use of your clothes dryer. Hand wash and let dishes air dry as well rather than running your dishwasher.

Emergency Backup Power That You Can Depend On. 

9. Reduce use of certain bulbs and lighting fixtures. Halogen bulbs, for instance, can generate a great deal of heat. LED lights and compact fluorescents will keep your home cooler.

10. Cool off in a pool or bathtub. Even a child’s wading pool can be effective in cooling you off considerably. If you feel silly sitting in a plastic pool, you can feel results by soaking your feet in the cool water for a while.

11. Eat lighter. There’s a reason we like to eat more fruit and salad during hot weather. They help hydrate us. Leafy greens, cucumbers, celery, tomatoes and watermelon are about 90 percent water, so they can help keep your body cool.

Also, you may want to turn up the heat – in your mouth, that is. Curries, chillies and other spicy foods can enhance circulation and cause you to sweat, which helps to cool the body down.

12. Let yourself build up a tolerance. Do you ever wonder how people have survived heat waves before air conditioning? By confining ourselves to air-conditioned homes, offices and stores, we have changed the way our bodies respond to heat. When you allow your body to experience heat and sweating, you can actually become accustomed to the heat. (It doesn’t mean you enjoy it; it means you can tolerate it.)

Here are some other quick tips for off-grid without air conditioning:

• Take cool showers.
• Decrease bathroom heat and humidity by running the bathroom fan after you shower.
• Let your hair air dry for a cooling effect.
• Close your fireplace flue to avoid losing cool air or introducing more hot air from the chimney.

Finally, here’s a word to all of the iced tea and iced coffee lovers out there. While the time-honored advice has been to avoid caffeinated beverages when the mercury soars, that thinking has changed.

According to the Institute of Medicine, caffeinated beverages supply us with more water than their caffeine causes us to lose. So if they help you stay hydrated this summer, drink up!

What are your tips for staying cool without air conditioning?

Do You Know The Trick To Keep Food Cool When The Power’s Out? Read More Here.

The post 12 “Cool Ways” To Survive Off-Grid Without Air Conditioning appeared first on Survival Browsing.

Listen To The Article

Survival Gear

Once someone starts upon the road of preparedness, it seems never to end. The idea of actually having enough to get through any crisis may be something we all aspire to, but it’s an elusive goal.

There’s really no way of knowing what will be enough, without knowing what sort of disaster we are ultimately going to face. But even if we knew, the number of variables that could affect our survival are mind boggling.

That’s why most serious survivalists work to develop plans that are both flexible and cover as wide a range of possible disasters as possible.

Yet even with that goal, we often miss key things, which could ultimately affect our ability to survive. Often, those key things are rather small, making them easily overlooked.

One of the solutions we commonly use to avoid missing those important things is redundancy. By having more than one thing which can do a critical job, we ensure that we will always have something that we can use. But what if something happens to that critical piece of survival gear? What will we do then?

For example, consider the subject of camping. You go out to get a few days of peace and quiet, and then something goes wrong. A seam in your tent tears; your favorite fire-starter breaks; the fuel leaks out of your camp stove; the drain plug for your boat is missing or it turns out that your water filter got crushed since the last time you used it. Every camping trip seems to have its woes, most often associated with some critical piece of camping equipment.

Goofy Gadget Can Recharge Your Laptop — And Jump-Start Your Car!

What makes any of us think that things will be any better in a survival situation, than they are on the typical camping trip? If anything, we’ll probably do worse, as we’ll need the equipment even more and be using it even harder. Oh, and, there won’t be anywhere to go buy a replacement.

In my many years of camping, I’ve learned the importance of being ready to make on-the-spot repairs. While that’s not the reason that I go on those camping trips, nor is it what I’d like to do, being prepared to make those repairs means that when I find that critical piece of gear broken, I can fix it, rather than having my trip ruined.

Personally, I’d rather carry the extra gear, which really doesn’t take up much more space than a paperback book.

Survival Gear

So, what’s in my camping repair parts kit?

1. Duct tape (of course).
2. Superglue (another obvious one).
3. Epoxy (my favorite adhesive).
4. Epoxy putty – great for fixing anything leaking, like a hole in a canteen.
5. FiberFix (fiberglass repair tape).
6. Sewing kit – with heavy-duty thread and needles.
7. Safety pins.
8. Paracord.
9. A couple of strong carabineers.
10. Small nuts, bolts and screws.
11. Pump rebuild kit for Coleman lanterns and stoves (I use the old-fashioned Coleman gear which runs off gasoline, rather than propane).
12. Spare mantles for Coleman lantern.
13. Sealing tape for inflatables – pool toys and air mattresses.
14. A zipper repair kit.
15. Knife sharpener.
16. Spare disposable butane lighter.
17. 4-inch and 8-inch wire ties.
18. Assorted sized plastic bags.

You might be wondering where the tools are in that kit, but I keep a tool kit in each of my vehicles. So, I have tools available. When it comes to my bug-out bag, which has the same sort of kit, the only tool I carry is a multi tool. While this isn’t a perfect solution, it does give me the capability to make repairs, without having to carry the weight of a whole tool box along.

Taking this a step further, I also take a critical look at all the survival equipment I have at home, with an eye toward the need to repair it. Since much of my survival gear is homemade, I make determining what parts I should stock a part of building the device. Specifically, I look for parts that can break during use, as well as anything that’s a normal wear item. Replacement parts for these pieces of equipment end up in the storage cabinet in my workshop.

Let me give you a few ideas of what I’m talking about here:

• I built a well drill, so that I could drill a well. It has belts and bearings in it, spares of which are in the cabinet. While I probably won’t need another well, my neighbors might.
• Anything that uses water is going to have seals. So, when I make these things, I always buy spare seals.
• I’ve already had one spigot broken on one of my 200-gallon water tanks, so I have spare spigots, as well as the associated parts.
• I have a spare burner for my barbecue grille, my prime survival “stove” (I also have a couple of extra tanks of propane).
• I have a spare solar charge controller and voltage inverter for my power system. These are stored in a Faraday Cage for protection against an EMP. My solar panels and wind turbine would probably survive an EMP, but these components would not.
• Spares for all the critical maintenance parts in my cars, such as belts, sensors, a computer, other electronic modules, hoses, fuses and bulbs.
• Spare spark plugs and air filters for the lawn mower and roto-tiller.
• Seals for my well pump.

While stockpiling all these parts may seem like an extra, unnecessary expense, they will provide me with the ability to keep my gear running, when everyone else’s stops. Besides, if a disaster never strikes, I’ll be ready to repair this equipment the next time it breaks down.

What would you add to our list? Share your thoughts in the section below:

The post Overlooked Repair Parts That Smart Preppers Stockpile appeared first on Survival Browsing.

An ice storm is a good indicator of a winter power outage.

It’s a simple fact. Power outages happen. Any outage always presents challenges, but a winter power outage presents a whole new set of challenges.

Some outages affect a city block, others a whole neighborhood or region. The cause is typically an ice storm, and the outages can be far-reaching. In Quebec, Canada, an ice storm left millions without power for up to six months in the cold of the Canadian winter. The result was a desperate lack of resources and support to any who needed any kind of assistance.

Preparing for a Winter Power Outage

A gas-powered generator with an ample supply of gas can make a lot of things easier. If you’re really ambitious, you could have a gas-powered, whole house generator installed. If you’re lacking both, you’ll have to get resourceful

Heat

Fireplace. This is probably the most common heating alternative that people have in their homes. It’s not as efficient as a wood-burning stove, but during a winter power outage, it’s a welcome resource. The ability of a fireplace to provide heat to one room is significant, but you may find that other rooms don’t receive as much heat depending on the size of your house.

However, it will keep the rest of the house relatively above freezing, but I would hunker down with family next to the fireplace on couches and sleeping bags. You’ll also want to open cabinets under sinks and make sure bathroom doors are open to prevent pipes from freezing.

Wood burning stove. Perhaps the best alternative heat source and capable of spreading heat beyond one room.

Black blankets in the sun. A curious suggesting from the Emergency Management Agency suggests putting black blankets on the floor where sunlight comes through the windows. The black color absorbs heat and will provide a bit of extra heat to the house.

Dangerous sources of heat include kerosene heaters, gas stoves or charcoal grills. They produce carbon monoxide over time. A gas range can be used occasionally for cooking, but should not be used as a heat source for a long duration.

Lighting

Flashlights with plenty of backup batteries and candles are the lighting options of choice. LED flashlights are a good choice because of the amount of light they cast with a minimal power drain on batteries.

Perfect Backup Power For The Ultimate Disaster Or Emergency Situation!

Water

If your water is from a municipal water source, there’s a good chance you’ll still have water during a winter power outage. Municipal water is gravity-fed from tall water tanks, but they need to be refilled from time to time. If you have a well dependent on an electric pump, you’ll have to find alternatives.

• Stored and filled 5-gallon water bottles.
• Melt snow and ice in a 5-gallon bucket set in the sun indoors.
• If you hear a weather report that portends the possibility of an outage, fill your bathtub with water but use it only for flushing the toilet. A bucket in the toilet will give it a good flush.
• Avoid frozen pipes by letting the faucets slowly drip if you are on municipal water. If the heat in your house is a problem and you have a well, you’re wise to drain the pipes to prevent them from freezing.

Food

• Refrigerator and freezer. Food will last in a refrigerator for 24 hours and in a freezer for 48 hours if you open the doors minimally. You also can place ice into plastic bags and turn your fridge/freezer into a large cooler. Alternatively, of course, you could place food outdoors — provided you take precautions to protect it from wildlife.
• Stock up on foods that don’t require refrigeration or freezing. It’s easy to do. If it’s on the shelf in a store, it will survive a power outage.
• You have some options here:
  • Outdoor on a grill
  • On a gas range
  • On top of the wood-burning stove
  • Next to the fire in the fireplace in a Dutch oven
• Refrigerator realities
  • Set to coldest settings if you suspect an outage is possible
  • Coolers in the garage filled with plastic bags of snow and ice
  • Outside in a snowdrift but beware the animals. Use a 5-gallon bucket with a locking lid

Dependable Backup Power In The Palm Of Your Hand

Communication

• Cell phones and the charging challenge. It’s hard to charge a cell phone without electricity, but you could use a car charger in the car, a solar charger about the size of a notebook, a generator or a cell charger power pack.

Bailing out

If you determine the situation is unbearable for you and your family, you’ll need to bail out. This assumes you have somewhere to go that’s at least comfortable like a neighbor, friend or family member who has better resources, or a local shelter housing people and families who are ill-equipped to handle the winter power outage. But before you bail, there are some steps you should take:

• Drain the water pipes
• Turn all of your circuit breakers to the off position. This will prevent a power surge when the power come back on. In fact, some people take this step the minute a power outage occurs at any time of year except for a room with a few lamps to signal that the power is back on.
• Pour anti-freeze into your toilets and drains for every sink, bathtub and shower
• Make sure all doors and windows are locked, and drapes and curtains drawn
• Take or dispose of any food in fridge or freezer or other perishables like bread

Preparation is the key when it comes to a winter power outage

Any power outage presents problems. It’s a good idea to think ahead to what alternative resources you will need during a power outage and make sure you have them in place.

What tips would you add? Share your advice in the section below:

The post Stuff You’ll Need To Survive A Winter Power Outage appeared first on Survival Browsing.

5 Winter Survival Skills That Will Keep You Warm, Dry, And Alive

Every different climate delivers a unique set of challenges in a survival scenario, and winter is no exception. If you aren’t too careful, the frigid wind and cold can immobilize you with frostbite and then kill you off with hypothermia.

In this article, we are going to look at five specific skills that you absolutely must have in order to survive when you’re stuck outdoors during winter.

1. Getting a fire going … and keeping it going

Knowing how to start a fire is an important skill to have in any survival scenario, but it’s extra important during winter. If you are ever wet and cold, a fire may be the only thing that gives you a chance of surviving. You also need a fire to dry out any damp clothing.

Unfortunately, it’s harder to build and maintain a fire during winter. The ground often is blanketed in snow or ice and the wood that is above the ground is saturated with moisture, too. On top of that, there could be high winds that put any spark you manage to create out in an instant. So how are you supposed to start a fire during winter?

Cotton Balls

The answer is to keep cotton balls that are coated in Vaseline with you at all times – especially during winter. These are highly flammable and will be a lifesaver in a winter survival situation. (They’re also inexpensive.) You’ll also need something to cause a spark, such as a ferro rod. But this is just the solution to getting a fire going. How can you keep that fire maintained?

Construct a pit into the snow that is approximately two feet deep. This is so that the walls of the pit will protect the flames from the wind. The bottom of this pit should then be covered with logs and sticks. Next, set some tinder and your Vaseline cotton balls on top of these logs.

If all of the wood that you find is already wet, then use a knife or a hatchet to cut into it and see if there’s any drier kindling that you can get from the inside. Then, set up your kindling in a pyramid. This will allow the wood to dry and then burn faster.

The technique above might save your life.

2. Building a warm-enough shelter

This is another survival skill that is important in any situation — but arguably more so in a winter scenario. During winter – unlike other seasons — you have to keep yourself warm and dry. For these reasons, you would be wise to spend more time working on your winter shelter than, say, your summer shelter.

Your shelter should be constructed in a site that is flat and on higher ground, with plenty of trees for cover from falling snow and wind. The trees also provide the natural resources you’ll need to build your winter shelter.

One of the best winter shelters to make is one that has natural cover, such as the boughs of a tree. You can dig around the trunk of the tree underneath the lowest boughs, so that the branches spread above you protect you from the snow and wind. The snow walls would then provide additional protection, and you can even set up a little place for you to make a small fire.

3. Maintaining a proper body temperature

During winter, it’s easy to get too cold – but also too hot. Wear an outer shell layer that deflects the wind and the coldness, an insulation layer that keeps your body warm, and then a final layer that sticks right to your skin. When you’re traveling through the snow with all of this clothing on you, you can easily overexert yourself. The sweat will then freeze and make you at risk for both frostbite and hypothermia.

Keep close attention to your body temperature and add and remove layers as needed. If it is snowing or raining, wear all three layers so that your shell layer can keep your inner two layers dry. But when you’re traveling out in the sun or working on building a shelter, remove one or more layers so that your body can cool down and avoid perspiration.

4. Making snow goggles

While we most commonly use sunglasses during summer conditions, the ice and snow during winter can reflect the rays of the sun back to your eyes – essentially blinding you. If you don’t have snow goggles or sunglasses with you already, then you’ll need to know how to make them on your own, out of natural resources.

The easiest snow goggles to construct are made out of birch bark. Birch bark is best for snow goggles because it can be removed from the trunk of the tree in sheets. Cut out a sheet of bark and then cut small slits in it for your eyes.

Next, cut holes into the sides of it so that it can be tied around your face. These simple DIY goggles will provide your eyes with the protection they need when the sun is out.

Emergency Back-up Power You Can Depend On

5. Building a pair of snowshoes

Snowshoes distribute your weight over a larger area so that your foot will not completely sink into the snow. If you’ve ever tried to walk through a winter forest without snowshoes, you know how exhausting and time-consuming it is. Snowshoes will save you a lot of time and energy.

If you don’t already have a pair of snowshoes with you, you’ll need to make some on your own.  The simplest form of DIY snowshoes are groups of boughs that are tied together and then lashed onto the feet. More traditional snowshoes will require some time and energy to build. You’ll need to find a long, flexible stick that you can bend and then tie at the end, followed by crisscrossing the insides of the snow with more sticks, vines, and/or rope.

Should you successfully build a pair of snowshoes, it’s guaranteed you’ll be able to make it out alive much faster.

What winter survival skills would you add? Share your tips in the section below:

The post 5 Winter Survival Skills That Will Keep You Warm, Dry, And Alive appeared first on Survival Browsing.

hidden dangers of winter

Even for the seasoned outdoorist, it’s good to review wintertime safety protocols so that they are fresh in your mind.

Too often we become relaxed, believing that nothing bad will happen to us. Yet things don’t always go as planned, and it is better to be safe than sorry.

Here are four wintertime safety and awareness issues that everyone should keep in mind.

1. Watch out for black ice.

Black ice is ice hidden under the snow. It can be on roads, walkways, steps or even in your yard where the ground is hard. Fresh snow can create the illusion that it is safe to walk on it. An unexpected fall on ice can lead to serious injuries – and if you hit your head, even death.

Sometimes, though, walking on ice in unavoidable. If so, walk like a penguin. Yes, a penguin! Waddling like a penguin allows you to maintain balance by centering your upper body over your legs. Simply hold your arms out at your sides, keep your feet shoulder distance apart, and take small, waddling steps. Remember to breathe and to stay limber, as well. If you do fall, keeping limber can protect your body from injury, as being too stiff can make injuries worse. Also, try to land on your bum or upper thighs where you have more padding, as opposed to trying to stop the fall with your hands, which can result in fractures or breaks.

2. Know the signs of frostbite.

Frostnip is the tingling feeling that happens first, and it is a warning sign that your body parts are becoming too cold. When you feel tingling in your fingers, hands, toes, feet, nose or ears, it is a sign that you need to warm up. If you ignore the signs, it can lead to frostbite. During this first stage, you will notice redness, and it might be painful, but permanent damage will not occur as long as you take action.

Handheld Device Provides Emergency Back-up Power

hidden dangers of winter

Frostbite begins when your skin becomes numb and starts to turn pale, or even white. You may start to feel warm, but this is not a good sign at this stage because it is an adverse reaction to the frostbite. If not treated immediately, the skin of the affected body parts will start to die and will turn black.

As your body tries to fight the frostbite, you may experience intense shivering, loss of coordination, slurred speech and drowsiness. It is imperative to seek warmth and emergency help as soon as possible.

3. Monitor carbon monoxide levels.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, invisible gas. Without taking proper measures, you will not know it is present until it is too late. Therefore, it is imperative to keep a carbon monoxide detector in your home and any other place where you use a heat source.

Carbon monoxide can be produced from a natural gas or wood fireplace, as well as from kerosene and similarly fueled heaters. A good way to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning is to have your equipment checked each season and ensure there is proper ventilation.

Here are the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning:

• A dull headache.
• Weakness.
• Dizziness.
• Nausea.
• Shortness of breath.
• Blurred vision.
• Vomiting.
• Confusion.
• Loss of consciousness.

Don’t let these symptoms fool you into thinking you simply have the flu, especially if you use one of the heat sources mentioned. Get outside immediately in the fresh air. Call 911 as soon as possible and have your home and source tested for the leak.

4. Watch for the signs of hypothermia.

Don’t take shivering lightly. It could be a sign that your core body temperature is dropping. Shivering doesn’t mean you are in danger yet, however. You still have time to act. If the shivering becomes uncontrollable, more than likely hypothermia is setting in. It is imperative that you get to a warm place soon.

Know the signs of hypothermia:

• Start to feel clumsy.
• Feeling drowsy.
• The shivering becomes uncontrollable.
• The shivering stops
• Your speech is slurred.
• You notice you are making poor decisions.
• Your energy levels are dropping fast.

Treatments for hypothermia:

• Remove any wet clothing.
• Keep moving. You need to raise your body temperature.
• Move toward warmth and a shelter if possible.
• Begin re-warming with dry clothing, blankets, heat packs or by a fire.
• Drink hot liquids — but, not alcohol or caffeine, which can aid in heat loss.

Remember that other hazards are possible too, such as injuries from shoveling snow. Be smart, be aware, and do things as safely as possible.

It is better to be prepared for wintertime emergencies than not to be. You never know when you might find yourself in a survival situation.

What advice would you add? Share it in the section below:

The post 4 Hidden Dangers Of Winter That Can Kill You appeared first on Survival Browsing.

ice fishing

If you’ve ever driven by a lake during winter in the colder states, there’s often an angler or two out there by a hole on the ice, waiting for the catch. Ice fishing has been practiced for thousands of years, but it will only yield its rewards after great patience, knowledge and skill.

Ice fishing can be done on any frozen water body. Lakes and ponds are your best bet, while rivers can be trickier. People who make good money on ice fishing have invested in nice cabins and equipment on the lake, but when it comes to survival, you’ll have to settle for the basic materials you have.

Now, here’s the truth: ice fishing can be dangerous. The ice should be a minimum of four-inches thick before you even think of setting foot on it. But even though ice fishing is risky for survival, fish are one of the best sources of protein available in the wilderness — and could be a life-saver when food is in short supply.

Despite this, don’t let your motivation for the fish overcome your better judgment; if you feel you are in danger out there on the ice, get off immediately.

Here are five tips for ensuring a successful catch:

1. Keep the Hole Covered.

If light shines through the hole in the ice, the fish will be more likely to avoid the area. Keep the hole covered as much as possible. This is especially true for shallower spots on the lake, where the light shining through will be clearer. You may not have thought fish could be so sensitive to light and dark, but they definitely are.

2. Aim for the Bottom.

Since food will be more limited to the fish in the winter just as it is for us — remember that an ice lake would prevent a fish from leaping out of the water to catch a flying bug — your best bet for catching a fish would be to lower your bait all the way to the bottom of the lake, if possible. There will be more opportunity there for your own catch.

How To Get Emergency Backup Power In The Palm Of Your Hand

ice fishing

3. Use a Bobber.

Maybe you already use bobbers as a habit for regular fishing and have one by instinct in your survival bag, so this tip may not apply to you. But for those who don’t use bobbers, now is the time to start. If you don’t have a bobber in your survival kit, you can always improvise: A straw, piece of foam or a soda can would work. The reason bobbers are necessary for ice fishing is because the fish will be less insistent due to having less energy in the winter. A bobber will be the only sure-fire way to see if you’re getting any nibbles or bites.

4. Practice Patience.

Regular fishing requires enough patience, doesn’t it? But as previously mentioned, during winter, fish lack the energy they usually have. This means they’ll be less curious for the bait at the end of your line. This translates to having to spend more time by the hole. However, patience is something that new ice fisherman sometimes lack, and this leads them to trudge back to camp in defeat … when in reality, all they didn’t do was wait long enough!

Get Dependable Backup Power Direct From The Sun

5. Stay Warm.

This is perhaps the most overlooked aspect of ice fishing. Dress warm – very warm — and wrapped in layers to prevent frostbite and chills. The only precaution to staying warm is to not have too many clothes or garments on as to where you’re not mobile enough to run off the ice fast if it starts cracking. The last thing you’ll want is heavy clothes burdening your escape.

Remember, be safe out on the ice at all costs, and good luck fishing!

What are your ice fishing tips? Share them with other readers in the section below:

The post Survival Ice Fishing: 5 Essential Tips appeared first on Survival Browsing.

Frozen Pipes

One of the biggest issues during winter are water pipes freezing and possibly bursting. Frozen pipes can be a serious problem if they do burst and — depending on the damage — can cost quite a bit to fix. Not to mention it creates a mess and leaves you without running water.

If you are new to an area where frozen pipes are an issue, keep reading.

Obviously, the best way of avoiding frozen water pipes is learning what to do to prevent it from happening in the first place. It doesn’t take much effort to insulate and prepare waterlines for freezing temps.

Here are a few ways you can prevent frozen pipes:

1. Insulate Water Pipes Whenever Possible:

One major step in preventing frozen pipes is to ensure your pipes have some type of insulation. You can purchase foam pipe insulation covers from any hardware store. In a pinch you can also wrap old blankets or even newspaper around the pipes. As an added bonus, insulating your pipes properly will also help cut energy costs for heating water overall.

2. Disconnect All Outside Hoses and Water Lines:

This is especially important for people who live in a country setting and have multiple sources of water around their property. Generally, you aren’t going to be using very many hoses during winter, especially if you switch to water buckets for livestock. Shut off outside water lines that won’t be used until spring. Don’t forget to empty out the hoses as well.

Harness The Power Of The Sun When The Electricity Goes Out…

Also, even if you don’t have outside water lines to worry about, at least know how to shut off the water line in your home. This will be important if a pipe does burst in your home.

3. Keep House Warm Even If You’re Away:

It is usually recommended to drop your house’s temp if you’re away for the holidays during winter. Doing so helps your electric bill but can spell disaster for areas that freeze. The last thing you want is for your pipes to freeze and possibly burst when you aren’t even home to deal with it. Try to keep your house at a minimum of 68 F when you are away.

4. Keep Cupboards Open for Air Circulation:

Another tip that works when you are home or away is keeping open bathroom and kitchen cupboards if possible. Doing this will help warm air in your home reach the pipes easier.

Frozen Pipes

5. Use a Space Heater for Very Cold Winters:

If you’ve had past issues with freezing pipes or recently moved to an area that gets really cold, have a space heater or two on hand as a preventative measure. You probably won’t have to run the heater the entire winter but rather use it on very cold days. It is also important to have an extra space heater on hand if pipes do freeze, as you’ll see below.

6. Let Faucets Drip:

This seems odd but works very well. It is more difficult for pipes to freeze if the water is moving, even if slowly. At night or on extremely cold days turn on the faucet just until it begins dripping water. Aside from preventing frozen pipes it also will alert you if pipes are starting to freeze.

What to Do When Pipes Do Freeze

If your pipes are already frozen, don’t panic. You will need to carefully thaw them out and act quickly to prevent a burst line.

Turn On Space Heaters:

Use a space heater under your house if possible or aim the space heater as close as possible through the wall. If you don’t have a space heater or the freeze is in a small area, use a hair dryer. Of course, for safety reasons, do not use anything electric carelessly if there is water on the ground.

Turn On Faucet:

When thawing frozen pipes you will want to start as close to the faucet as possible. Be sure that when you do this you turn on the faucet a bit so the melted water can escape from the pipe. It is easiest if you have someone help you with this. Also, turning on the hot water will create steam which will further help defrost pipes.

It generally isn’t difficult to thaw frozen pipes; just use caution and a safe heat source.

As a final tip, sometimes you know a pipe is frozen but you can’t find where the ice is. A quick way of finding the block is to insert a garden hose through the pipe until it stops. Often, where it stops is where there is ice. For smaller pipes you can try unfolding a wire coat hanger and using that.

How to Deal With Burst Water Pipes

If you do have a burst line, follow these steps.

1. Immediately turn off your main water line.
2. Use caution when assessing the damage, especially if there is water on the ground and electrical devices, sockets or wires nearby.
3. Locate your burst pipe and decide whether you need a plumber or have the skill to fix it yourself.

If you have zero experience with plumbing or at all doubt your capability, call a plumber immediately. It is really recommended that anyone living in a rural area should have at least basic knowledge of plumbing and how to fix a burst pipe (at least temporarily) by yourself. If you rely solely on a plumber for help, it could take a long time for him or her to reach your home.

Thankfully, there are kits on the market that allow you to temporarily fix a broken pipe until you can get professional help. It would be wise to have a few of these kits on hand at all times.

How do you deal with frozen water pipes in your area? Feel free to share any tips and tricks in the comment section below, as well as any stories that may help others.

The post 6 Easy Ways To Prevent Your Pipes From Freezing (And What To Do If You Fail) appeared first on Survival Browsing.