Last winter we were among the many people affected by a major winter storm event in Texas, which caused widespread blackouts. We were lucky and power was restored much sooner than some of our less fortunate neighbors – including our relatives – whom we helped out by lending some of the gear we normally use for overland camping. Here’s how we used our camping gear to help them survive a power outage, and why you may want to have some of the same strategies we used in place, in the event that a blackout happens in your area.
Emergency Heat Sources For Power Outages
One of the most important things you can do to prepare for a winter storm – and accompanying power outages – is to have a backup source of heat for your home. If you have a wood stove or fireplace, that’s a good start, however make sure you have plenty of dry wood stored up beforehand. (During the blackout in Austin, some folks with fireplaces were burning everything from Amazon boxes to wood from backyard fences to stay warm!)
You should never use any kind of outdoor grill to heat your home, since these can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Attempts to use charcoal grills for home heating have unfortunately resulted in many deaths over the years.
Portable propane heaters, such as the Mr. Heater “Big Buddy“ can provide a safe indoor heat source. We keep our Mr. Heater stored in the attic, and a few spare 20 lb bottles in the garage, ready to go in case of a wintertime power outage. One 20 lb propane canister can power a Mr. Heater “Big Buddy” for up to 100 hours. These heaters also have tip-over protection, as well as an oxygen sensor, which shuts off the heater if levels are unsafe. When choosing an emergency propane heater, be sure to look for those important features.
It’s Easier To Stay Warm Than To Warm Up
It’s much easier to maintain your body temperature by wearing layers of clothes, multiple socks and undergarments, than it is to warm up after you’ve become chilled. Even though you may have an emergency source of heat, wear warm clothes inside so that you can conserve your fuel for an extended power outage. Small children are especially vulnerable to the cold, so keep them bundled up and warm as possible. Seal off unused rooms and choose the best insulated room to shelter in during a winter power outage. Drink hot liquids and try to keep up nourishment as best you can to provide the calories you need to stay warm.
Using Camping Stoves To Cook Food During A Power Outage
Camping stoves, such as Coleman propane stoves, should never be used to heat a home, yet you can use them to cook food or melt ice for water during a power outage. Avoid those which use liquid fuel, and choose a propane camping stove instead to reduce the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning. Be sure to check the stove’s specifications to see if it’s rated for indoor use, and if not, do your cooking outside. During power outages we use the setup seen above, a two burner Coleman stove, connected with an adapter and hose to a 20 lb canister.
Solar Panels and Generators For Backup Power
Many people have the false idea that a generator is going to solve all of their problems during a power outage. This simply isn’t true, especially during a winter storm. You won’t be able to heat your home with most generators, and even if you could, it would be a very inefficient way to do so. Also, most people can’t afford expensive whole-house generators and huge fuel tanks.
All generators are not created equal, but one gallon per-hour is a good rule of thumb for 5 KW and larger models. If you do the math, you’ll soon realize that keeping your fridge cold by running a generator will require lots of fuel.
Inverter generators, such the Honda 2200 watt model we use, can run for up to 8 hours on one gallon of gas. You may not be able to run your whole house with one of these, but they can come in handy for charging electronics and running basic lighting and power tools during a blackout.
Consider having an electrician install a disconnect switch at your home’s breaker panel, so that you can use a small generator to run critical light circuits, central heater fans, etc. (Even if you still have natural gas during a blackout, your heater requires electricity to work – and heating your home with your stove or oven is extremely dangerous.)
Solar panels can provide enough emergency power during a prolonged blackout to charge phones, flashlights, etc. The two 100 watt solar panels that we use for overland camping can provide enough power to keep all of our electronics charged, even on cloudy days.
Place solar panels out in the open, and adjust them as the day goes on to follow the sun for maximum power output. A sealed – deep cycle 12 volt battery capable of more than 50 amp-hours can store ample power for small inverters, phone chargers, etc. There are plenty ways to DIY power bank, but for most people without electrical skills, using one such as the Goal Zero Yeti 200X may be a better choice, since they’re already set up with a small inverter, USB and cigarette lighter outlets ready to use.
Portable Toilets and Wag Bags
After the long power outage in Texas we heard some bathroom “horror stories” from friends who’d lost both power and water for a week. You may be able to melt snow and ice to get enough water to flush a toilet, but this can be a tedious process, not to mention all the fuel required. Portable toilets that use water and chemicals are not very useful during these situations.
A better way to deal with pooping during these situations is to use a Wag Bag and a portable toilet that’s designed for them. These bags contain odor reducing chemicals, along with absorbents which turn pee and poop into a gel. They claim to be “odor free” but you’ll still want to store these outside in a sealed bin. Trust us, they’re a much better alternative than using a Hefty bag under your toilet seat!
Backup Lighting For Power Outages
You can use the same lighting that you use for camping to illuminate your home during a blackout. LED lanterns, flashlights and solar powered bulbs, are good ways to provide the light you’ll need when the grid goes down, without using a generator. Avoid fuel powered lanterns of all kinds, as these are a major fire risk. Just be sure to keep plenty of batteries on hand for whatever type of flashlights you own.
One of the least expensive emergency backup lighting solutions we’ve found are small, bright, solar powered bulbs made by Flyhoom, which can run up to 15 hours. These come with a 6×4″ solar panel and length of wire, so you can place it outside on the window ledge or tape it to the glass – facing outward – to charge up the battery. These also come with a remote that lets you to turn the bulb on and off from across the room. Also, the same remote can control several different bulbs, so everyone can keep a remote handy in their pocket.
(An off-grid AirBnB we stayed in near Taos actually used these bulbs for lighting in each room.)
Keeping Food Cold
To keep food inside your fridge and freezer from spoiling, open it as little as possible. Place some heavy blankets over your fridge to help seal in the cold. One trick for knowing if things inside your freezer have thawed – and potentially spoiled – is to freeze a plastic cup of water and place a quarter on top of the ice. If you find that the quarter has dropped to the bottom after opening your freezer, at some point the inside has thawed and you may have spoiled food.
You can store food in a cooler, outside in the cold, but only if temperatures are sure to stay below freezing. Be sure to secure any coolers placed outside from pets and wildlife.
Water Storage
When the power goes out for any extended length of time, pumps that deliver water to your home also quit working. You can use BPA-free, 5 gallon containers, which are sold for camping, to store water for emergency use. Although most BPA-free water jugs are safe to store water in for up to a year, you’ll still want to empty and refill them every few months to ensure clean, odor free water. Plan on needing a minimum of two gallons per person – per day.
In dire circumstances, be aware that most hot water heaters store 30 to 50 gallons of potable water, which you can access by opening the lower drain valve. If you do so, be sure to disconnect the breaker, or turn off gas to the water heater, and fill it up before turning it on again. Filling bathtubs before you lose water pressure is also a good idea during a power outage, since you can use this water for toilet flushing.
Other Camping Gear You Can Use During A Power Outage
Communications: During a prolonged power outage you may be without cell phone service, as even the cell tower’s emergency generators begin to run out of fuel. Having a pair of FRS or GMRS walkie talkies can allow you to communicate with family and neighbors up to a few miles away. The most powerful option is GMRS, which requires a license, but has much farther range. See our article about GMRS Radios for more info.
An AM-FM radio with weather channels is an important part of your safety arsenal. Make sure you have plenty of batteries on hand and consider a model that can be recharged by hand-cranked generator. Some hand cranked chargers also serve as flashlights, and can charge your cell phone.
Safety: During a winter storm, first responders may not be able to make it to your location in the event of an emergency. Keep on hand first aid supplies, a fire extinguisher, a chainsaw to remove downed limbs, de-icer for your walkway, snow shovel, crampons for shoes, and other winter safety items.
Be especially careful to avoid slip and fall accidents and when icy conditions exist, avoid going outside unless absolutely necessary. Keep some heavy plastic sheeting on hand, which can be used to cover broken windows, as well as to seal off rooms that aren’t being used.
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Be Prepared For Unexpected Problems
Each person’s situation is unique, so you should think of those things that you personally may need if you’re cut off from the outside world for a few days. Be sure to keep on hand enough prescription medications, such as asthma inhalers, insulin, heart medication, etc.
Consider those things in your home that might develop problems when the freeze is over, such as water heaters, and drain them ahead of time, before they freeze and burst. Before an ice storm hits, be sure to move any vehicles that are parked down steep driveways up to street level, and keep on hand tire chains to use if you absolutely must travel. Insulate all outside faucets before a hard freeze, and be sure to leave faucets dripping to prevent pipes from freezing.
Food: Last, make sure that you always have several days of food on hand, in case you can’t get to a store, or if there are shortages. Keep on hand packaged foods that don’t require refrigeration or cooking. Don’t forget food for your furry friends too, and be sure to keep pets safe and warm indoors.
We’d love to hear from you if you have any other tips for surviving a winter storm and blackout. Feel free to send us an email at [email protected] and we can add your tips to this article.
*This article may feature links to products we have used and recommend.
