Urban Winter Survival

My facebook friends have asked me to do a blog post about some WINTER TIPS during this bad cold snap we are experiencing in the Midwest.  I know I will not cover all the possible tips, but I hope you can take away at least one piece of helpful information from these words.

We live in a world of ease and convenience, but in the blink of an eye, all of that can change without any notice at all.  We depend far too much on our electricity and indoor plumbing, but what if the power were to go out?  What if the power companies estimated a full WEEK without?  What if the temperature outside was hovering around 0 and you have children at home, and you can feel the temperature inside already beginning to drop?  This is not an unlikely scenario. 

This exact situation is one that residents of Sibley, Iowa, experienced last year on April 10, when an ice storm thrashed NW Iowa.  I am absolutely not trying to scare anyone with this post (or any of my posts for that matter), but I am simply laying out some facts and some tips that hopefully parallel in such a way to bring about some responsible living. :-)

When we experience a prolonged period of cold immediately following comfortable weather, there is always a higher chance for a water main break.  Consequently, there is an even higher chance of water main trouble with a fast thawing of the ground.  As mentioned earlier, a temporary power outage is probable, especially when dealing with an ice storm, like LITTLE ROCK, AK, is about to experience this weekend.  Taking the considerations of water and electricity issues, here are some tips to help you prepare.

1) Water
- BEFORE the storm, fill clean containers with water and store in a cool room
- preferably a room that will not freeze, like an enclosed porch or basement
- good containers to use are clean milk jugs (I keep a supply of these for this reason), basic beverage jugs with a spicket (like a gallon tea jar or 5 gallon gatorade-style water cooler below)
- PLAN A GALLON OF WATER PER DAY PER PERSON IN YOUR FAMILY

2) Rate your food sources
- plan to use food in the fridge first as it will go bad the fastest
- use indoor freezer food second
- use outdoor freezer food third
- use canned goods sparingly and or only after the fridge and indoor freezer are cleared
- make sure a variety of foods are eaten per meal to keep up strength

3) Prepare the family with a sanitation plan
- put tape over the flusher handle and remind all family members NOT TO FLUSH because you will have only 1 flush left per toilet once the power goes out.
- if you have the convenience of 2 toilets in the house, designate one to be for urine only. This toilet will be able to fill quite full before using that last flush.
- designate one (or more, if you are so blessed to have more than 2 toilets) toilet for solid waste. Use plastic wrap or Press and Seal to cover when not in use to keep smell down. (Yes, we are using the knowledge of a common prank, but trying to keep the poo and smell IN this time!)
- encourage family to "hold it" and use toilet sparingly, BUT DO NOT FLUSH until the toilet is quite full.
- another option for waste is for men and boys to urinate outside
- for solid waste, you can also use ice cream buckets WITH LIDS and store outside.  Dispose of later.
 - to manually flush the common toilet, pour about a gallon of water SWIFTLY into the bowl.  It should flush.

4) Confine heat
- block off a room or 2 using blankets hung in the doorway with hammer and nails
- obviously choose the room with the heat source
- if you have a generator, now would be the time to hook it up :)
- break out the board games!
- body heat goes a long way. Try to keep everyone together and wear layers.  2 layers actually goes further for conserving body heat than one warm sweatshirt.
- we lose over 75% of our body heat through our heads since heat rises, so bring out the stocking caps

5)  Cooking with a GAS STOVE
- if you are blessed to own a GAS STOVE, as I am, you are well set for cooking when the power is out.  All you have to do is manually light the PILOT LIGHT. :) Consult your oven manual for help.
- put up blankets in all doorways of the kitchen and turn the oven to a low setting to keep the room comfortable. Corral your family here.
- crack a window ever so slightly for ventilation
- keep a candle burning to monitor oxygen levels in the room

6) Cooking with an ELECTRIC STOVE
- if you have an ELECTRIC STOVE, well, welcome to Camping 101.
- since your stove is virtually useless, you will have a harder time choosing foods to eat that do not require heat.
- options are your grill outside, a portable camping stove, or even a fire outside (before you get to this point, try contacting a neighbor)
- if you DO happen to have an electric stove, it would be smart to attain your cooking source ASAP.


7) Lighting
- to conserve body energy and fuel, try to sleep with the sun. Go to bed early and rise when the sun wakes you
- try not to use FLASHLIGHTS as they are portable in case you have to go outside or loan out
- keep a supply of the CORRECT BATTERIES
- candles (obviously jar candles will be most safe. I actually spend some winter days melting down old taper candles I find at garage sales or people give me and make them into safe jar candles. Future post?)
- instruct children that they are not ever to touch the candles
- keep matches either on your person or next to the candles so you don't have to search in the dark


The best thing we can all do, whether you live in Canada or Arkansas, is to BE PREPARED.  It absolutely does not hurt to throw together a pile of these supplies in a corner in your basement.  We all know of people (or we ourselves) who have experienced trying winter situations, and preparedness and education are the only ways to succeed. :-)