Your options are lighting are various, but I would caution you to use lighting options that are safe, inexpensive, and readily available.
I am very impressed with all of the dynamo (hand-crank) lights on the market today. There are hand-held flashlights and laterns available in the camping section that are inexpensive, durable, and plentiful. These are really ideal if you have young children who need the security of having their own light source. I keep one at the top and bottom of each set of stairs in my home, one in each car, two in my bugout bag, one in my purse, and one in each bathroom drawer. I bought both of my kids the lights that also work as cellphone chargers and radios last Christmas.
Solor lighting is also a great idea. You don't have to stake them outside to get the full effect, either. Set them in a sunny window all day and you'll have wonderful ambient lighting throughout the night. Though not bright, it's enough to keep you from walking into a completely dark room. Again, for little one's they make a wonderful nightlight.
I suggest that you have at least 3 battery recharging systems. I see the A size battery charging systems everywhere and recently have seen the C and D size recharging systems on the internet. Find a way to use your portable recharging systems to keep at least 4 batteries fully charged at all times.
CANDLES AND LANTERNS: I will assume that you all know about candle safety. That being said, I only use candles in wide, low glass jars. That's not to say that I don't have several dozen taper candles in the house. When they go on sale I buy a lot of them. Look for candles to go on sale after Christmas and buy lots of them. I bought two dozen red tapers knowing that I would never use them for fine dining, but they were 25 cents each, cheaper than buying the wax and wick anywhere else.
Head to your craft store and buy a spool or two of good candle wick. It's worth it to buy the best as they burn slow and steady. I also have a few packages of Gulf wax at home. I buy this around canning season because some folks still can using wax. Candlemaking is simple, inexpensive, and when done properly, very safe. Simply keep all of your wax drippings in a bag and melt them down for re-use. Don't buy any candles with the new dissolving wax...it just burns up, leaves soot on your ceilings, and you can't re-use any of the wax.
I have purchased a couple of oil lamps, extra wick, and several bottles of lamp oil. You can find good oil maps at Lehmans.com, but also look around for other supplies while you're there. Again, Christmastime is the best time to find these in plentiful quantities at low prices. One thing: Don't buy scented oils. Trust me on this.
Use one of the old-fashioned methods for maximizing your candle or lamp light and put a mirror or another highly reflective background behind it. Unless you have children, you really shouldn't bother with lighting rooms that are not in use.
Emergency Essentials sells a neat little jar lantern for about $4 each. They say they burn 100 hours, but it's closer to 80. It burns a tiny flame, just enough light to keep you from tripping, not enough for reading or handwork.
Your cell phone is another source of light. WTSHTF you won't be calling anyone with it, so you might as well keep it charged as an emergency low-intensity flashlight.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Friday, August 12, 2011
LESSON 8: MOBILITY
In all likelihood your car has a computer inside of it, and believe it or not, a few simple rounds of electro-magnetic pulse will shut down your car - and all of your other electronics -in a heartbeat. Unless you're really comfortable with the idea of being crammed into a cattle car a la "Doctor Zhivago", I'd recommend you begin planning for alternative modes of transport.
Now, historically, the oldest and most reliable mode of transport is already attached to your body. That being said, take care of your feet. Have some really good walking "boots" ready to use. Don't even think for one moment that those fancy, lightweight running shoes that are so popular in Central Park are going to do you any favors.
The wheel is your next mode of transport. Unless you want to hike with all of your provisions on your back, you need to come up with a way to pull or push your gear. In the worst case you can use sled technology to drag your belongings, but this gets tiring very fast.
One of the best ideas I've seen on any blog recently is to use a very lightweight boat and trailer. What? You live in the middle of the prairie? Plan on staying there forever, do you? You may want to cross a river sometime. You may encounter a lake. Why discard the idea of multi-tasking now?
If you live in a climate of extremes you'll need to plan for this. If you live in the north this is a good time to get a couple of sets of snow shoes. Yea, I know they look goofy. But better to appear a fool than to step out unprepared and remove all doubt.
You need to figure out what much weight you can carry, besides your own. You'd be surprised how hard it is to haul 20 pounds in a backpack for five miles. This is another reason for getting your wheel, sled, or water transporation system perfected now. It can be as simple as a little red wagon. Look around your house and figure out what you could use...If you have a bed frame you have the makings of a simple carrying system. If the time comes that you're having to think about running, you really don't have to worry about what you'll come back to find in your home.
With all of this being said you should keep in mind that staying on roadways and highways will get you into trouble. But going the backwoods route will get you "dead" unless you learn how to survive the elements (and all of the wildlife in it). Start learning how to hike now. Figure out what works for you and what your endurance level is. Ladies (and gentlemen)...you must learn how to pack light. A few days of hiking with what you now consider essential items should prove to be the best lesson.
Now, historically, the oldest and most reliable mode of transport is already attached to your body. That being said, take care of your feet. Have some really good walking "boots" ready to use. Don't even think for one moment that those fancy, lightweight running shoes that are so popular in Central Park are going to do you any favors.
The wheel is your next mode of transport. Unless you want to hike with all of your provisions on your back, you need to come up with a way to pull or push your gear. In the worst case you can use sled technology to drag your belongings, but this gets tiring very fast.
One of the best ideas I've seen on any blog recently is to use a very lightweight boat and trailer. What? You live in the middle of the prairie? Plan on staying there forever, do you? You may want to cross a river sometime. You may encounter a lake. Why discard the idea of multi-tasking now?
If you live in a climate of extremes you'll need to plan for this. If you live in the north this is a good time to get a couple of sets of snow shoes. Yea, I know they look goofy. But better to appear a fool than to step out unprepared and remove all doubt.
You need to figure out what much weight you can carry, besides your own. You'd be surprised how hard it is to haul 20 pounds in a backpack for five miles. This is another reason for getting your wheel, sled, or water transporation system perfected now. It can be as simple as a little red wagon. Look around your house and figure out what you could use...If you have a bed frame you have the makings of a simple carrying system. If the time comes that you're having to think about running, you really don't have to worry about what you'll come back to find in your home.
With all of this being said you should keep in mind that staying on roadways and highways will get you into trouble. But going the backwoods route will get you "dead" unless you learn how to survive the elements (and all of the wildlife in it). Start learning how to hike now. Figure out what works for you and what your endurance level is. Ladies (and gentlemen)...you must learn how to pack light. A few days of hiking with what you now consider essential items should prove to be the best lesson.
LESSON 7: COMMUNICATION
Pick up the phone, make a call...easy.
Click connect, send an email...easy.
Push a button, hear the radio...no problem.
Until...
If you think you are frustrated NOW with the media, just wait until we have a real crisis (real or contrived) and the government decides that it MUST control all media. You've already heard and seen the effects of social network monitoring, and many of us have been scared shitless at the prospect of "big brother" tracking our private conversations.
The truth is, if you think they're going to do this, you're wrong. They already are.
So, have you come up with a plan to communicate with your loved ones? Your friends? Your prepper support group?
Do you have a two-way radio or a set of long-range walkie talkies anywhere in your house? Have you come up with a language that you can use to avoid being tagged? It can be as simple as one word. Think of the Battle of Normandy, "John has a long mustache..." Really, this is as simple as having an evacuation plan.
Do you know anyone locally who is a ham radio operator? Most ham operators do so not so much as a hobby, but as a last ditch effort to allow citizens to control the airwaves.
If the worst does happen you'll need to think of your every action, every word, every communication as being monitored. Consider yourself a political prisoner on house arrest. Don't even think of sending a letter unless you've got it encoded. I know this sounds like cloak and daggar stuff, but who are you going to trust? Do you really want a commisar to read your letters directing your family members to your stash of goodies?
Perhaps you could start by using your wingding font as a sort of code. Each symbol could represent a word or phrase. You don't need to have a sympbol for each letter of the alphabet...that would be too mind-boggling. For instance, perhaps a five pointed star could represent "plenty of guns, low on ammo", with a response being a right handed check mark for "have ammo, will trade". Or, use the "bible code" method of having the real message in a pattern.
Click connect, send an email...easy.
Push a button, hear the radio...no problem.
Until...
If you think you are frustrated NOW with the media, just wait until we have a real crisis (real or contrived) and the government decides that it MUST control all media. You've already heard and seen the effects of social network monitoring, and many of us have been scared shitless at the prospect of "big brother" tracking our private conversations.
The truth is, if you think they're going to do this, you're wrong. They already are.
So, have you come up with a plan to communicate with your loved ones? Your friends? Your prepper support group?
Do you have a two-way radio or a set of long-range walkie talkies anywhere in your house? Have you come up with a language that you can use to avoid being tagged? It can be as simple as one word. Think of the Battle of Normandy, "John has a long mustache..." Really, this is as simple as having an evacuation plan.
Do you know anyone locally who is a ham radio operator? Most ham operators do so not so much as a hobby, but as a last ditch effort to allow citizens to control the airwaves.
If the worst does happen you'll need to think of your every action, every word, every communication as being monitored. Consider yourself a political prisoner on house arrest. Don't even think of sending a letter unless you've got it encoded. I know this sounds like cloak and daggar stuff, but who are you going to trust? Do you really want a commisar to read your letters directing your family members to your stash of goodies?
Perhaps you could start by using your wingding font as a sort of code. Each symbol could represent a word or phrase. You don't need to have a sympbol for each letter of the alphabet...that would be too mind-boggling. For instance, perhaps a five pointed star could represent "plenty of guns, low on ammo", with a response being a right handed check mark for "have ammo, will trade". Or, use the "bible code" method of having the real message in a pattern.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
LESSON 6: MONEY
Face it: The paper money that you have sitting in your bank right now is worthless. We all know this.
My heart breaks for the many people that I know who have taken hard-earned money and purchased a shitload of gold, silver, palladium, etc. To die-hard investors I will never convince you that you've made a mistake, so stop reading here. For everyone else, you need to realize that when all forms of civility break down you MUST have a way to barter for your needs. Now, I'm not saying those investments are BAD - they do have a purpose. But if there is a long recession/depression what do you think everyone is going to need? Certainly not a hunk of metal.
Make a quick mental assessment of your skills. Do you have the ability to sew? Are you a good mechanic? Can you cook? Hunt? Fish? Are you a green thumb with the ability to grow more than what your family needs for each season?
My son is an electrician AND an auto mechanic. He has skills that can be bartered for food, weapons, etc. I have a neighbor who is a former nurse. She can barter her knowledge. I am a hunter. I can barter meats in exchange for other provisions. How many of you are planning on taking out a gold coin (today's value of $1600 an ounce) to buy a bag of flour? Is anyone stupid enough to take a gold coin in exchange for a portion of their provisions? You can't eat it. The electronics that use gold as a portion of their components are likely not being used because there is not enough power to use them.
You will need items and skills that other people depend upon for survival. When you see natural disasters on TV what are the things that people are waiting in line to get? Certainly not gold coins!!!! Water, food, fuel, shelter. The necessities of life.
My investments consist of a bit of precious metals, a bit of cash in small bills, food, weaponry, and knowledge that I can "sell". When it comes down to it, I'll be able to trade a dozen rounds of ammo for a bag of flour, and the guy holding the chuck of gold will go hungry.
I know that my 401k is going to be worthless. I know that my bank accounts will be confiscated. I know that my home will likely be taken away from me. Hell, the federal goverment is now "considering" renting out foreclosed homes. How well do you think this is going to turn out? This is yet another socialist dream being captured by our president. The confiscation of all forms of private property is ongoing and the Supreme Court paved the way by revising our Constitutional rights to imminent domain.
My heart breaks for the many people that I know who have taken hard-earned money and purchased a shitload of gold, silver, palladium, etc. To die-hard investors I will never convince you that you've made a mistake, so stop reading here. For everyone else, you need to realize that when all forms of civility break down you MUST have a way to barter for your needs. Now, I'm not saying those investments are BAD - they do have a purpose. But if there is a long recession/depression what do you think everyone is going to need? Certainly not a hunk of metal.
Make a quick mental assessment of your skills. Do you have the ability to sew? Are you a good mechanic? Can you cook? Hunt? Fish? Are you a green thumb with the ability to grow more than what your family needs for each season?
My son is an electrician AND an auto mechanic. He has skills that can be bartered for food, weapons, etc. I have a neighbor who is a former nurse. She can barter her knowledge. I am a hunter. I can barter meats in exchange for other provisions. How many of you are planning on taking out a gold coin (today's value of $1600 an ounce) to buy a bag of flour? Is anyone stupid enough to take a gold coin in exchange for a portion of their provisions? You can't eat it. The electronics that use gold as a portion of their components are likely not being used because there is not enough power to use them.
You will need items and skills that other people depend upon for survival. When you see natural disasters on TV what are the things that people are waiting in line to get? Certainly not gold coins!!!! Water, food, fuel, shelter. The necessities of life.
My investments consist of a bit of precious metals, a bit of cash in small bills, food, weaponry, and knowledge that I can "sell". When it comes down to it, I'll be able to trade a dozen rounds of ammo for a bag of flour, and the guy holding the chuck of gold will go hungry.
I know that my 401k is going to be worthless. I know that my bank accounts will be confiscated. I know that my home will likely be taken away from me. Hell, the federal goverment is now "considering" renting out foreclosed homes. How well do you think this is going to turn out? This is yet another socialist dream being captured by our president. The confiscation of all forms of private property is ongoing and the Supreme Court paved the way by revising our Constitutional rights to imminent domain.
LESSON 5: SECURITY - You Can't Handle the Truth!
It is inevitable: The Shit is GOING to hit the fan. Cities and municipalities are going broke. Police and fire departments are going unfunded. Our military is stretched to capacity and the entitlement class is screaming about the possibility to being downsized. Eventually some idiot is going to start something stupid.
None of the members of the entitlement class are willing to stand in a line for government cheese. Just this week a report was issued in which the concept of "poverty" in America means cells phones, air-conditioning, larger living spaces that most European citizens, and a daily intake of calories that would make a third world nation regurgitate from gluttony. Eventually the gravy train is going to end and those hungry masses are going to come to find your storehouse of food and supplies. You MUST have a way to protect it. More importantly, you must have the NERVE to protect it.
If you can't see yourself capable of taking a human life that threatens yours or that of someone in your home, do not buy a gun. In fact, buy no weapons at all. In your case you're going to need lots of extra supplies to just give away, or extra supplies to sustain yourself after yours are taken. The reality of this scenario is that you will die - either by force, exposure or starvation.
If you're not pleased with this idea, get weapons and learn how to use them. There are several good firearms that I can recommend for beginners, but I'll recommend three: A good shotgun. A .22 rifle (get a banana clip for a good flow of fire). A good handgun with a few clips kept FULL. The shotgun is ideal for large game hunting and waterfowl (different shells are needed), the .22 is excellent for small game and warning shots, the handgun for close combat. Don't forget the need for cleaning and repair of your weapons and plan accordingly.
I cannot stress enough that you MUST be ready to use it or have it used against you.
I believe in morphology..meaning, I use what I have and improvise. There are literally hundreds of prepper and survival websites that will tell you any number of ways to protect yourself, so I can't give you a one-size-fits-all answer. I also don't want to advise you to do anything illegal. These days it really doesn't take much to wind up in jail.
One of the products that I really like is solar lighting for outdoors. Even in the winter I'll bring the lights in during the day (if the weather is bad and the panels cover with snow) and put them in a sunny window where they charge up nicely. I also recommend that you have a few of these in various windows around your house. They work great as ambient lighting inside the home and a couple of them placed together in a clear, glass vase make a great reading lamp.
The very best security that you have is eyes, ears, and what I call "spider senses". Be observant of your surroundings. Know what sounds are normal. If you have the creeps about something follow your gut instinct.
A dog or two is a great way to maintain security in your home insofar as you have a disciplined animal. Don't sacrifice your dog to an intruder if one happens to get past all of your defenses. This is what bullets are for. Keep your dog safe so that it can alert you another day.
None of the members of the entitlement class are willing to stand in a line for government cheese. Just this week a report was issued in which the concept of "poverty" in America means cells phones, air-conditioning, larger living spaces that most European citizens, and a daily intake of calories that would make a third world nation regurgitate from gluttony. Eventually the gravy train is going to end and those hungry masses are going to come to find your storehouse of food and supplies. You MUST have a way to protect it. More importantly, you must have the NERVE to protect it.
If you can't see yourself capable of taking a human life that threatens yours or that of someone in your home, do not buy a gun. In fact, buy no weapons at all. In your case you're going to need lots of extra supplies to just give away, or extra supplies to sustain yourself after yours are taken. The reality of this scenario is that you will die - either by force, exposure or starvation.
If you're not pleased with this idea, get weapons and learn how to use them. There are several good firearms that I can recommend for beginners, but I'll recommend three: A good shotgun. A .22 rifle (get a banana clip for a good flow of fire). A good handgun with a few clips kept FULL. The shotgun is ideal for large game hunting and waterfowl (different shells are needed), the .22 is excellent for small game and warning shots, the handgun for close combat. Don't forget the need for cleaning and repair of your weapons and plan accordingly.
I cannot stress enough that you MUST be ready to use it or have it used against you.
I believe in morphology..meaning, I use what I have and improvise. There are literally hundreds of prepper and survival websites that will tell you any number of ways to protect yourself, so I can't give you a one-size-fits-all answer. I also don't want to advise you to do anything illegal. These days it really doesn't take much to wind up in jail.
One of the products that I really like is solar lighting for outdoors. Even in the winter I'll bring the lights in during the day (if the weather is bad and the panels cover with snow) and put them in a sunny window where they charge up nicely. I also recommend that you have a few of these in various windows around your house. They work great as ambient lighting inside the home and a couple of them placed together in a clear, glass vase make a great reading lamp.
The very best security that you have is eyes, ears, and what I call "spider senses". Be observant of your surroundings. Know what sounds are normal. If you have the creeps about something follow your gut instinct.
A dog or two is a great way to maintain security in your home insofar as you have a disciplined animal. Don't sacrifice your dog to an intruder if one happens to get past all of your defenses. This is what bullets are for. Keep your dog safe so that it can alert you another day.
LESSON 4 - Shelter. You Can Survive and Thrive
If you're lucky your home is not on the 24th floor of a concrete-bound high-rise. If you're damned lucky your home is in the middle of a huge piece of land, on the high ground. If you're like most people your home is in a neighborhood somewhere with a bit of grass around it. You probably get all of your energy from the power company, all of your water from either a well or municipal source, and your neighbors are probably strangers to you.
Consider what you'll do for shelter if you have to leave your home. What will you do to protect yourself from the elements? Do you have a plan of how to transport your hard-earned survival tools?
The best thing I can advise is for you to have two or three safe places that you can count on as a safe place. Do you have friends or family who live a few hours away, perhaps in a rural area? Do you have friends who live outside of a small town? If yes, you may want to ask them if you can begin sending them a little money each week to do some shopping for you. Tell them that if the worst never happens they are welcomed to use your supplies, but that if it does, (and you have to relocate to their property) you are willing to SHARE your supplies.
I can't tell you to buy a trailer, a wagon, or a pickup truck. But I can tell you to be prepared to transport whatever you can gather quickly, efficiently, and leave. I'm fortunate to have already lost everything I ever had in the world three times in my life. I've learned to NOT get attached to anything material. The things that matter to me now are my photographs, my memories, and my freedom.
You've all seen every survivor show on TV that I have, and yes, they make it look easy. The fact is, if you've never built a lean-to shelter you will spend many hours trying to do it the first time under pressure. Practice now. Learn how to construct a simple shelter appropriate for your area and your climate. Keep in mind that it is important to keep the dew, or moisture, off of you, and a lean-to shelter will do this for you. Keep enough extra boughs on hand to use as a covering in case it rains or snows and you should be pretty comfortable.
There are so many options for shelter, so many environments, that I can't go into all of them here. So, in simplicity I'll tell you that if you think you might be out in nature you're going to want one hell of a knife at all times. Pick one with at least an 8 inch blade on one side, a heavy handle (there are many that have hollow handles for storing matches, filiment, etc.), and saw teeth on one side. It's hard to cut down boughs with bare hands, and if you're in the south a lot of those palm fronts have thorns.
Plastic tarps are essential, but I wouldn't bother packing an easter-egg blue one if you're trying to bug out into the woods and hide. In a pinch a clear, plastic painters tarp will do. It won't hold up in the wind because it has no stitching or grommets for support, so don't count on using it for more than a few hours.
One key bit of advice is to only build your shelter with materials that can be found within 100 ft of your campsite. Remember, this is a temporary shelter. Many a camper get lost looking for items within a mile of their campsite. Once disoriented it's hard to find your way back. I also recommend a brightly colored bandana or scarf to hang up high enough to be a visual guide to help you find your way back. Every 20 steps turn around and locate the bandana. Stop moving forward if you can't see it and retrace your steps back until you do.
When I was a kid in scouting we learned how to build various native American houses. Tepees, wigwams, lodges, etc. Bottom line: Don't bite off more than you can chew. Building a shelter requires time and energy, so don't go all Survivorman on yourself.
Consider what you'll do for shelter if you have to leave your home. What will you do to protect yourself from the elements? Do you have a plan of how to transport your hard-earned survival tools?
The best thing I can advise is for you to have two or three safe places that you can count on as a safe place. Do you have friends or family who live a few hours away, perhaps in a rural area? Do you have friends who live outside of a small town? If yes, you may want to ask them if you can begin sending them a little money each week to do some shopping for you. Tell them that if the worst never happens they are welcomed to use your supplies, but that if it does, (and you have to relocate to their property) you are willing to SHARE your supplies.
I can't tell you to buy a trailer, a wagon, or a pickup truck. But I can tell you to be prepared to transport whatever you can gather quickly, efficiently, and leave. I'm fortunate to have already lost everything I ever had in the world three times in my life. I've learned to NOT get attached to anything material. The things that matter to me now are my photographs, my memories, and my freedom.
You've all seen every survivor show on TV that I have, and yes, they make it look easy. The fact is, if you've never built a lean-to shelter you will spend many hours trying to do it the first time under pressure. Practice now. Learn how to construct a simple shelter appropriate for your area and your climate. Keep in mind that it is important to keep the dew, or moisture, off of you, and a lean-to shelter will do this for you. Keep enough extra boughs on hand to use as a covering in case it rains or snows and you should be pretty comfortable.
There are so many options for shelter, so many environments, that I can't go into all of them here. So, in simplicity I'll tell you that if you think you might be out in nature you're going to want one hell of a knife at all times. Pick one with at least an 8 inch blade on one side, a heavy handle (there are many that have hollow handles for storing matches, filiment, etc.), and saw teeth on one side. It's hard to cut down boughs with bare hands, and if you're in the south a lot of those palm fronts have thorns.
Plastic tarps are essential, but I wouldn't bother packing an easter-egg blue one if you're trying to bug out into the woods and hide. In a pinch a clear, plastic painters tarp will do. It won't hold up in the wind because it has no stitching or grommets for support, so don't count on using it for more than a few hours.
One key bit of advice is to only build your shelter with materials that can be found within 100 ft of your campsite. Remember, this is a temporary shelter. Many a camper get lost looking for items within a mile of their campsite. Once disoriented it's hard to find your way back. I also recommend a brightly colored bandana or scarf to hang up high enough to be a visual guide to help you find your way back. Every 20 steps turn around and locate the bandana. Stop moving forward if you can't see it and retrace your steps back until you do.
When I was a kid in scouting we learned how to build various native American houses. Tepees, wigwams, lodges, etc. Bottom line: Don't bite off more than you can chew. Building a shelter requires time and energy, so don't go all Survivorman on yourself.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Lesson 3 - Fuel to Power Your Efforts
Without a source of fuel you don't sterilize water, you don't cook, and you probably freeze to death.
I cannot stress enough the necessity for several forms of fuel. You need a variety of fuel sources to be modified according to the climate, your immediate needs, and the availability of other fuels. Never pass by an opportunity to use some really odd things as fuel.
I recommend several dozen cans of Sterno, two or three cords of firewood, Coleman fuel, lamp oil, candles, candle wax and wicks, charcoal, kindling, pine cones, tons of matches, at least two FireSteels, a magnifying glass (remember when you were a kid?), and about five boxes of these neat little pouches that burn for about 10 minutes (there are several brands of them). Gasoline should be used ONLY for your generator if you have one. Kerosene requires ventilation, so I don't recommend it, but it is cheap and plentiful.
Batteries are another source of fuel that are overlooked. If you do have a generator I encourage you to get a couple of "Power Station" devices that can be plugged in and recharged and then used later on. Most generators run for five hours on one gallon of gasoline, and most of these power stations will charge completely in as little as one hour. At the same time as your Power Station charges you can charge your rechargable batteries for use later. If you have a set of Walkie-Talkies you'll need to have fresh batteries to get close to the range that you're promised.
I encourage everyone to purchase a few hand-crank flashlights; some of these have radios integrated into them. For a couple of minutes of effort you can have save, reliable lighting for a couple of hours. If you have kids these are ideal to give them a sense of security and empowerment over their surroundings.
Candles are excellent sources of fuel and light, but I don't recommend using them unless it is winter AND you have no other source of light. That can be dangerous and they require constant tending to be used effectively. Oil lamps are a good choice if you can place one on a sturdy table or chair away from activity that might knock it over. I recommend that you buy several yards of wick material for your oil lamps and also buy about 100 feet of candle wick. If you use jarred candles you can keep melting them down, replacing the wicks, and you'll have candles available pretty much always. If you have any used #10 cans you can use one of these to construct a "candle stove". Invert the can, use a bottle opener to punch 3 - 4 ventilation holes in the top, and cut a door to access the candle. Please not that the can will get very, very hot. I've used one of these as a portable heater when we've lost power in the past and it worked extremely well. I was able to put a small pan on top and I boiled a cup of water in five minutes.
Sterno is one of those old, standby sources of fuel that can be used for cooking in a pinch. The new stuff is pretty fume-free, but you still need to use it in a well-ventilated area. My advice is to make sure to get a sterno stove for use with the cans. This can help you to ensure it is used safely. Please practice using sterno before you bring it into your house!!!
Charcoal is one of those things that you cannot have too much of. One chunk of charcoal can help you to start your fire (outside only). Commercial charcoal is lightweight, easy to transport, and makes an ideal way to help you get a good fire started if you're on the move. Charcoal during the spring and summer months is pretty cheap to buy, and buying the stuff that is already doused with a starter is probably a good bet for anyone. Store is somewhere dry and away from any electrical or heat sources.
Chapstick. Yep..old fashioned, sticky, in the tube Chapstick is flammable. Chop off a small bit of it, smear it on a bit of kindling and you'll have a warm fire going in a few moments.
Regarding firewood, if this is going to be your sole source for heating your home you're going to need to replenish it often. If you are fortunate enough to live near heavily wooded areas I would encourage you to get out there early to start gathering wood even if you think you have more than enough. Fallen wood will be taken quickly and within a few weeks people will begin cutting down trees and will try to burn "green wood". If you must cut a tree you should be prepared to let it cure or age for about 3-6 months.
Some people have said that they'll just burn their furniture. Not a good idea since there are so many chemicals in your household furniture that are toxic.
Make sure that you have a reliable siphon kit. There are several on the market that are inexpensive, reliable, and far safer than sticking your mouth on a tube and sucking.
Propane: As a camper I keep several bottles of propane around for use with a Coleman stove and the mini heater that Coleman also makes. You can use these indoors in a pinch, but you need to make sure to put a large piece of ceramic tile underneath. You don't want to catch your wood, carpet, or vinyl flooring on fire.
I have a couple of oil-filled electric heaters in my home. While they take a while to warm up, once warmed the oil stays warm and give off heat for several hours after the power supply has been turned off. We've set up sleeping bags around this heater at night for the kids when we've lot power and they've slept comfortably.
The Sun: Not to sound like a lunatic tree hugger, but the sun provides us with a tremendous amount of energy. Learn how to capture its power. I do have a small solar panel that I have used to charge my rechargeable batteries. I've also built a solar oven in the past (though it takes about 2 hours to bake one pan of cornbread to just done). But if you've got it, and it's free, take it.
The Wind: There are detailed instructions on YouTube and all over the Internet for building your own portable wind turbine. Look them up, print out a copy, and then experiment NOW while we have the materials and the room to fail and fail again (the Thomas Edison school of applied science method).
Never underestimate the value of aluminum foil. You can use it deflect heat to where you need it.
If you've come this far with me you'll be able to understand why I'm going to give you this last-resort of fuel supply. Sorry, it's gross. In the Bible you can read stories of the Exodus. The Israelites wandered the desert for 40 years and cooked over fires made of something called shitims. What is a shitim? Well, what does the name imply? That's right. They burned not only the dung of cattle and goats, but in really hard times they burned their own. It will, according to ancient laws, defile the food and make it not worthy for sacrifice, but it is a burnable, renewable form of fuel. Dried properly it will burn nicely without much of a smell. OK...there, I said it. This would be your LAST resort, I'm sure.
My last and most important bit of advice is this: Use the least amount of fuel possible to supply your immediate needs. If you have a warm fire in your fireplace with two logs it doesn't make sense to add more wood. The hotter the fire the quicker the burn.
I cannot stress enough the necessity for several forms of fuel. You need a variety of fuel sources to be modified according to the climate, your immediate needs, and the availability of other fuels. Never pass by an opportunity to use some really odd things as fuel.
I recommend several dozen cans of Sterno, two or three cords of firewood, Coleman fuel, lamp oil, candles, candle wax and wicks, charcoal, kindling, pine cones, tons of matches, at least two FireSteels, a magnifying glass (remember when you were a kid?), and about five boxes of these neat little pouches that burn for about 10 minutes (there are several brands of them). Gasoline should be used ONLY for your generator if you have one. Kerosene requires ventilation, so I don't recommend it, but it is cheap and plentiful.
Batteries are another source of fuel that are overlooked. If you do have a generator I encourage you to get a couple of "Power Station" devices that can be plugged in and recharged and then used later on. Most generators run for five hours on one gallon of gasoline, and most of these power stations will charge completely in as little as one hour. At the same time as your Power Station charges you can charge your rechargable batteries for use later. If you have a set of Walkie-Talkies you'll need to have fresh batteries to get close to the range that you're promised.
I encourage everyone to purchase a few hand-crank flashlights; some of these have radios integrated into them. For a couple of minutes of effort you can have save, reliable lighting for a couple of hours. If you have kids these are ideal to give them a sense of security and empowerment over their surroundings.
Candles are excellent sources of fuel and light, but I don't recommend using them unless it is winter AND you have no other source of light. That can be dangerous and they require constant tending to be used effectively. Oil lamps are a good choice if you can place one on a sturdy table or chair away from activity that might knock it over. I recommend that you buy several yards of wick material for your oil lamps and also buy about 100 feet of candle wick. If you use jarred candles you can keep melting them down, replacing the wicks, and you'll have candles available pretty much always. If you have any used #10 cans you can use one of these to construct a "candle stove". Invert the can, use a bottle opener to punch 3 - 4 ventilation holes in the top, and cut a door to access the candle. Please not that the can will get very, very hot. I've used one of these as a portable heater when we've lost power in the past and it worked extremely well. I was able to put a small pan on top and I boiled a cup of water in five minutes.
Sterno is one of those old, standby sources of fuel that can be used for cooking in a pinch. The new stuff is pretty fume-free, but you still need to use it in a well-ventilated area. My advice is to make sure to get a sterno stove for use with the cans. This can help you to ensure it is used safely. Please practice using sterno before you bring it into your house!!!
Charcoal is one of those things that you cannot have too much of. One chunk of charcoal can help you to start your fire (outside only). Commercial charcoal is lightweight, easy to transport, and makes an ideal way to help you get a good fire started if you're on the move. Charcoal during the spring and summer months is pretty cheap to buy, and buying the stuff that is already doused with a starter is probably a good bet for anyone. Store is somewhere dry and away from any electrical or heat sources.
Chapstick. Yep..old fashioned, sticky, in the tube Chapstick is flammable. Chop off a small bit of it, smear it on a bit of kindling and you'll have a warm fire going in a few moments.
Regarding firewood, if this is going to be your sole source for heating your home you're going to need to replenish it often. If you are fortunate enough to live near heavily wooded areas I would encourage you to get out there early to start gathering wood even if you think you have more than enough. Fallen wood will be taken quickly and within a few weeks people will begin cutting down trees and will try to burn "green wood". If you must cut a tree you should be prepared to let it cure or age for about 3-6 months.
Some people have said that they'll just burn their furniture. Not a good idea since there are so many chemicals in your household furniture that are toxic.
Make sure that you have a reliable siphon kit. There are several on the market that are inexpensive, reliable, and far safer than sticking your mouth on a tube and sucking.
Propane: As a camper I keep several bottles of propane around for use with a Coleman stove and the mini heater that Coleman also makes. You can use these indoors in a pinch, but you need to make sure to put a large piece of ceramic tile underneath. You don't want to catch your wood, carpet, or vinyl flooring on fire.
I have a couple of oil-filled electric heaters in my home. While they take a while to warm up, once warmed the oil stays warm and give off heat for several hours after the power supply has been turned off. We've set up sleeping bags around this heater at night for the kids when we've lot power and they've slept comfortably.
The Sun: Not to sound like a lunatic tree hugger, but the sun provides us with a tremendous amount of energy. Learn how to capture its power. I do have a small solar panel that I have used to charge my rechargeable batteries. I've also built a solar oven in the past (though it takes about 2 hours to bake one pan of cornbread to just done). But if you've got it, and it's free, take it.
The Wind: There are detailed instructions on YouTube and all over the Internet for building your own portable wind turbine. Look them up, print out a copy, and then experiment NOW while we have the materials and the room to fail and fail again (the Thomas Edison school of applied science method).
Never underestimate the value of aluminum foil. You can use it deflect heat to where you need it.
If you've come this far with me you'll be able to understand why I'm going to give you this last-resort of fuel supply. Sorry, it's gross. In the Bible you can read stories of the Exodus. The Israelites wandered the desert for 40 years and cooked over fires made of something called shitims. What is a shitim? Well, what does the name imply? That's right. They burned not only the dung of cattle and goats, but in really hard times they burned their own. It will, according to ancient laws, defile the food and make it not worthy for sacrifice, but it is a burnable, renewable form of fuel. Dried properly it will burn nicely without much of a smell. OK...there, I said it. This would be your LAST resort, I'm sure.
My last and most important bit of advice is this: Use the least amount of fuel possible to supply your immediate needs. If you have a warm fire in your fireplace with two logs it doesn't make sense to add more wood. The hotter the fire the quicker the burn.
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