We are expecting 15 to 20 inches snow with power outage. Our two kerosene heaters are rusty and don’t work.
Any suggestions how we get heat?? All stores are out of heaters. Sister is PANICKED very badly. Driving me nuts. We are elderly. Any suggestion will help.
Blankets and sweaters. Our power was out for 5 days and the temp only went down to 51 in the house. I heated my bedroom with a 3 wick candle. When it got really cold, I used a kerosene lamp.
First of all, while you still have power and light look at the heaters and see if cleaning the orifice would allow one to light. Ventilation is very important with such heaters as well as fueling far away from pilot lights and sources of ignition.
Second, determine a nearby shelter of neighbor you can go to if any outage gets to be too long. You might best be there before travel is too difficult.
Third, if you shelter in place, warm your place now while you still have power and get out lots of warm woolen clothes and blankets. Wool holds warm even if you get it wet.
what state are you in
If you have a car, keep it full of gas. You can always go to the car just to warm up and charge our cellphones and laptops. But basically, you are going to have a cold and miserable time of it until the power comes back on. I got through it by reading books and getting a good fire going in the fireplace.
In recent years, when a storm was coming, I would reserve a hotel room like at a Marriott Courtyard or Hampton Inn. That way you have a warm place to go to if your neighborhood loses power as well as free breakfasts. You can always cancel the room last minute if you don't lose power and the hotels don't give you that much a hard time about it because during power outages, they have plenty of customers. Not only those without power but all those utility crews that come up the Eastern seaboard.
Did you know that utility companies now send in crews from out of state during storm situations? During widespread power outages, I see crews from pretty much every state on the East Coast. You can tell from the license plates on their trucks.
Any backup power supply? Gas? Where do you live? I’m in VA and if I can help.
long underwear? Pantyhose or knit pants under loose jeans. HATS on at night. Sleeping bags are great. I had lost power for days but had gas water heater. filled tubs of hot water in one room and let them cool.
No bad weather just bad clothes. multiple pairs of socks. Cotton first, then thicker/looser over. Love my legwarmers. snow on roof acts as insulation. Cover windows. Plug door if draughty. I have a towel on the floor and use newspaper between door and wall. Should actually do that in the summer too. might want to put hand towels on top of lower window if it opens up.
Gas up. Live in the home and warm up in the vehicle.
Open Garage door if it applies. Monoxide poison and all.
If you have a gas cook stove it is time to do some early Christmas Baking and soup making. The extra humidity will make it seem warmer. Baking in the daylight, soups at night. Keep replenishing the liquid and it will keep heating the air.