No light? No heat? no cooking? Do NOT fear..there is plenty you can do - prepare NOW!
Battery
powered torches and lanterns etc will be useful in the early days, so keep them to hand, and eventually after the initial
surge, and if not completely fried by solar radiation, may work to some extent when all has calmed down. However, as the adage
says, the simplest things in life will be the best under these circumstances, and I include a list below that may be of help.
Candle
power is in..!
Ensure
you have ample supplies of candles, including matches and waterproof matches. You can purchase pre-waterproofed matches at
many hardware and outdoor supplies shop, however, you are able to make your own. Just simply light a candle and using the
COOLING wax to cover the match heads -CAUTION with the hot wax, wait until it cools down slightly. This will prevent
dampness penetrating your matches
It
may also be a good idea to keep a supply of disposable lighters, you can purchase in packs of 12. Keep all of the above in
a waterproof/airtight tin.
In
an emergency you are able to boil a kettle (if you are not in a hurry) by candle power. Use three candles set in a circle
within a metal holder (triangular) and place the kettle or metal container above on a flameproof support. Night light candles
are ideal under these circumstances.
Keep
all the wax that drips off the candles you use as this will be useful later for a variety of uses, such as waterproofing,
general protection (cuts etc) and for making more candles!
Please
keep matches and lighted candles away from children, and keep lighted candles in a secure heat proof container
KEROSENE
and PARAFFIN.
Kerosene
is a major alternate fuel in North America ,Europe and in UK, but paraffin may
be also be available as a substitute - many 'senior' readers will remember maintaining overnight heat in their greenhouse
with parafiin stoves!
However, Kerosene is widely available and unlike gasoline is a lubricant and very stable in storage, its ignition
point being more than 104 F. Kerosene may be safely stored in plastic containers, oil drums and old diesel tanks. Make
sure you label the containers, and if you can avoid it do not use red or green containers, as these usually indicate gasoline
(green for unleaded).
Do not store within the home, either use an old outside shed, garage or preferably under surface bunker.
Kerosene
is excellent for use with kerosen heaters, lamps and stoves -
Please
ensure your equipment is safe to use with Kerosene.
The
same above conditions apply to paraffin.
http://www.endtimesreport.com/kerosene_fuel_primer.html
BOTTLED
GAS (LPG)
Depending
where you live in the world, bottled gas comes in a variety of mixed gases and containers, the most popular being Butane (UK
and Europe) and Propane (mainly USA)
Normally
a safe liquified gas for a variety of purposes, cooking and heating etc. Ensure you have a few bottles in reserve.
http://www.seminck.be/en/propaan.html
http://www.calorgas.co.uk/
http://www.weldingsupply.net/propane.htm (Background
and history of propane)
SOLID
FUEL
If
you are settled in your safe area, then it may be a good idea to start stocking up on any solid fuel you can get your hands
on, which in most cases this would entail lumber. Take time to stack safely an amount of cut logs and sticks for kindling,
and dont forget to store newspaper in a dry area, not just for starting a fire, but useful for insulation (wrapped around
you or to sleep on).
ALTERNATE
HOT WATER SUPPLY
Depending
upon environmental conditions prevailing at the time, you can experiment now with simple alternate water heating methods,
especially if you are now in your safe location.
Old
Radiators.
Painted
black, these provide an excellent storage system of hot water, especially if the sun shines for a number of hours per day.
The water will remain quite warm for some time. Rig old hosepipes to the rads and siphon off to the required area.
Old
piping or hosing
Another
excellent method of keeping water warm. Stretch out as much hosing as you can and drape around the roof of your home, as the
sun shines on the roof so does the heat within the hosing the bigger the diameter of the hose the better it will be.
Caution!
on a hot day by mid afternoon the water in the hose will be near boiling!!
Plastic
containers
Little
used idea, is the filling of one or 5 - gallon old plastic containers with water and stored within a depression or under surface
bunker. If you construct walls of these containers, (just like building a brick wall alternating joints etc) using their weight
on top of each other, the gradual heat warms the water during the day, thus emitting the heat out slowly overnight.
This
principle was used in subsurface greenhouses for growing tropical vegetation.
I
hope the above well tested ideas and hints will be of use to you. Try them out now before we experience any serious catastrophies
in order that you will be well prepared and trained. Remember to show caution when using any fuel substance, try outdoors
and preferably not around any dry ground covering or trees, we have experienced too much of forest fires of late!
Keep
a supply of water or sand and a fire beater to hand in order that you may dowse any fires before they get out of hand. Also,
ensure that the remains of a fire is well out and covered with water, sand or soil when you have finished. - and as they say when lighting fireworks, light blue touch paper and stand well back!!
Safe
preparation
