At Home – Step 3 of 4

1. Grab and Go Kit
2. Light without Electricity
3. Stay Warm and Cool

First, Read the Information You Need:

How will you stay warm if the electricity goes out?

Even in the desert nights can get cold enough it can be a major problem to keep warm. In February of 2021, Texas was had a huge storm that froze most of the entire state. They were not prepared for freezing weather, and many were without power for several days during the extreme cold. So even if you live in a non-snow area, be sure you know what to do if you are ever stuck in below freezing temperatures without power.

A few items that can help:

• Extra Blankets including Mylar blankets (which store in small spaces) are helpful. Not just to cover yourself up, but to hang over doorways to block cold drafts coming in, or nail over windows to help insulate and keep the heat indoors.
• Hot water bottles are easy to store if you have access to water and a source to heat the water up.
• Chemical hand and foot warmers do not require electricity to work.
• Pitch a tent inside for extra warmth. Put blankets on it to help insulate the walls, but make sure to keep some vents to have fresh air. Your body heat will warm up the area inside the tent easier than it can heat up the area inside a room.

How will you stay cool if the electricity goes out, especially in summer?

“I know I grew up without air conditioning, but I have no idea how we survived back then without it,” is a quote from a 90-year-old woman in 2016 when her power went out in Texas. In 2021, Oregon hit record highs, and while most homes had electricity, most home did not have air conditioning. Typically, Oregon never gets hot enough to need more than a ceiling fan. No matter where you live, it is important to know how to cool down without modern conveniences.

Some items that can help.

• Battery operated fans with extra batteries are the first things people go for. But they are limited how long they will last. Those batteries will go fast, so only use them for short bursts of relief during the hottest part of the day.
• Make a hand fan to help cool you down when you need it the most.
• Don’t sleep inside. Try to sleep in a tent outside, with no covers on the screened windows to allow a breeze.
• Try a netted porch to allow the breeze to cool you while the bugs can stay out.
• Stay in a shaded breezy place.

Keep in mind that heat rises, so the top of the room should always be warmer than the bottom if there is no heating or air conditioning vents going on. Heat sources, like fire, will have warmth around it, but then the heat moves. Heat can escape a room if it isn’t sealed up, with no gaps for the warm air to leave through. When you are trying to stay cool, you want more air movement. When you are trying to stay warm, you want to stop air movement.

WARNING!

• Never bring an outdoor grill inside for warmth or cooking. This is not only a fire danger but also may cause a build of up carbon monoxide which can be deadly.
• Open flame candles should be under adult supervision at all times to prevent fires.
• Gas generators should be outside and 7-10 feet from your dwelling.

Second, Choose an Option:

Option 1: The Great Escape	Option 2: Door Draft
Find out what room your family would spend the most time in during an emergency situation without power. Identify how heat escapes the room and determine how you can safely stop the leaks if you lose power and need to stay warm. How many ways did you find heat escaping the room? Do you have any solutions to stop the head escaping?	One way heat escapes rooms is a gap between the door and the floor. Draft Stoppers are just a tube stuffed with something to stop the air from flowing under the gap.   Choose a design or come up with your own idea and make a draft stopper.

Congrats!

Juniors stop here. You’ve earned the Heat and Light Rocker!

Cadettes, Seniors, Ambassadors, and Adults, go Step 4!

Return to Heat and Light Rocker Step 2 page.

Return to Be Prepared, Not Scared main page.