Something overlooked during long power outages for a little extra warmth

[3825-87867]

Sent this to Ryan Hall:

Ryan,
A little helpful hint for power outaged homes WITH natural or propane gas water heaters.

Rarely, if ever, during a power outage does the gas stop flowing.

To use this helpful hint, fill plastic gallon bottles (empty milk, water, whatever) with HOT water - as many as you can. It's amazing how long they can can stay warm. And a little bit of warm water using a hot filled gallon bottle can make a big difference, especially if you have a number of them. And since the gas and usually water lines stay intact, you can refill them to keep at least some warmth over an extended period.

To help keep them warm, enclose them ion and in blankets or any thing that could help keep out the cold and especially off cold surfaces. You can even place them around your body under those covers to help stay warm.

We keep a number of empties for each person and pet.
And believe me, your pets will appreciate them, too! Don't' forget them!

When they become too cool, simply empty them down the drain and refill with more hot water.

Maybe not the best thing, but without electricity, if you have a gas water heater and gallon bottles, you will always have the opportunity to stay a little warmer. And that could make an important difference.

And if you are pre warned of a "bad moon rising" by a great site like "Ryan Hall, Y'all", you can get a number of those hot jugs ready! Just in case!

Lastly, make sure the "VENT" for the gas water heater (separately or into the chimney) isn't covered with snow or ice which could cause Carbon Monoxide to build up in the house.

When it's over, use them to water the plants!

[synni]

1. Another tip for those of us with gas water heaters

What I did during our last outage was take hot showers whenever I started to feel too cold. Obviously, you need to cover your hair with something plastic, because it's impossible to dry it quickly without electricity.

When you throw your clothes on after a hot shower, then burrow down under some blankets...heaven!

[Coldwater]

2. During the Massachusetts ice storm of 2008

we lost power for over a week.

It was a nightmare, but we made it through heating the kitchen with our old gas stove, and the den with the fireplace

[Skittles]

3. a heavy weighted blanket is very nice to have

alas, during the grid failure I found myself to be a total softie who donated that blanket to a couple of kids

[intheflow]

4. You can also heat bricks in the oven.

Wrap them in towels and tuck in with them under the blankets. Nice and toasty!