With cold weather coming on quickly, the one thing you should be concerned about is how you are going to heat your home if the power goes out. For many people, especially those who live alone, the answer is to simply go stay with someone who does have power. However, in a widespread power outage, this may not be an option and you must find a way to heat your home.
Woodstove
If you do not have a woodstove in your home, you are certainly at a disadvantage, but this does not mean that you can’t have one for emergencies. A temporary woodstove can be installed in just a few moments. You simply need an unobstructed window, a small wood burning stove, a chimney pipe that also has the elbow, a small piece of plywood, and, of course, a good supply of wood. Simply put the chimney out an open window and put the plywood around it to cover it up. The woodstove is temporary and can be put up and taken down just as easily.
Kerosene Heater
While kerosene heaters of the past have been proven to be quite dangerous, there are many available on the market that come with extra safety measures. For example, many of the heaters available will shut off automatically if it tips over or is bumped too hard. While these kerosene heaters are safe, you still want to be sure that you have a carbon monoxide detector that runs off batteries nearby.
Candles and Clay Flowerpot
Although this method is only good for heating up a small room, it is perfect for those who do not have any other means of producing heat. Simply place tea light candles on a fire-proof surface and place a clay flowerpot over them. The heat from the candle will go into the pot and expand. The clay pot should have a hole in the bottom of it, which will actually be the top as the pot will be placed over the candles upside down. Placing several of these makeshift heaters in a small room may not bring the room up to a high temperature, but it will keep you from freezing.
When the power goes out in the middle of winter, your first thought may be to go somewhere else to get warm. However, safety should always be your top concern and, if the roads are bad, you should stay home. Just be sure that you take all safety precautions with your emergency heat source to prevent any unnecessary risks. The idea is to stay warm without harming you or your family.
