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Marthe48

(16,691 posts)
Wed Feb 17, 2021, 11:51 AM Feb 2021

Tips about water pipes, staying warm, and a DIY candle heater

If your pipes aren't already frozen, and you don't need power to run water, open the taps in your house so they drip. The moving water is supposed to prevent freezing.

Years ago, we bought pipe wraps, but they had to be plugged in. I don't know if there are battery powered or other alternatives. I think my parents wrapped the pipes in some kind of wooly insulation. That was the house in Cleveland.

Here is a link to making a flower pot candle heater: https://www.skilledsurvival.com/clay-pot-candle-heater/

If you are trying to tough it out without heat, be sure to keep your head and feet covered. A lot of your body heat escapes from your head. Layer your clothes. Open your shades if it is sunny, Keep them closed if it isn't. Eat chocolate, helps warm you up. Try to stay in as small a room as you can. If you have pets, cuddle with them

I hope this travail is over soon.

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Tips about water pipes, staying warm, and a DIY candle heater (Original Post) Marthe48 Feb 2021 OP
Saw these too soothsayer Feb 2021 #1
All good ideas! Marthe48 Feb 2021 #4
One of the best items I ever bought was a butane burner that runs on canisters of butane hlthe2b Feb 2021 #2
I've thought about getting one of those Marthe48 Feb 2021 #5
K&R! SheltieLover Feb 2021 #3

soothsayer

(38,601 posts)
1. Saw these too
Wed Feb 17, 2021, 12:00 PM
Feb 2021

?s=21

🥕EasterGryffon🐇
@CherryGryffon
·
Feb 15, 2021
Replying to @CherryGryffon
- Choose 1 room to inhabit
- Move all furniture to external walls
- Move your mattress to the center of the 1 room
- Block pets from leaving that room, put all needs in it
- If your fridge is warming up, put all perishable items in a trash bag and place outside, form snow around

🥕EasterGryffon🐇
@CherryGryffon
- If you have plants, move them in the room with you
- If you have a small space heater, move it in that room with you
- Hang thick blankets or large towels in all the windows
- If a sunny day arrives before power, open curtains when sun hits directly, then put back up

Your body heat will warm that room if you remain in ONLY that room.
You want to use anything you can to add insulation between you, and the outside. Hence covering and blocking all floors, windows, and walls.
Now isn't the time to have a clean house, it's the time to survive.

Late addition thanks to a friend of mine:

If you have, or can get, bubble wrap, tape that to all windows, as it creates a kind of double insulation!

Marthe48

(16,691 posts)
4. All good ideas!
Wed Feb 17, 2021, 12:20 PM
Feb 2021

We used to live in the country, in S.E. Ohio. We had to be prepared for some nasty weather and outages. I think I have had to do most of the tips at one time or another.

If the water pipes do freeze, let them thaw slowly, and they might not burst. Good idea to shut the water off at the main entry into the house, and watch the joints when you turn the water back on, as well as you can. You might also get cracks in the lengths of pipe, just watch for water where it shouldn't be.

hlthe2b

(101,715 posts)
2. One of the best items I ever bought was a butane burner that runs on canisters of butane
Wed Feb 17, 2021, 12:14 PM
Feb 2021

and is fully safe to use indoors (caterers use them all the time). That and a dozen saved gallon jugs I use to fill with water if an unusual storm event is on the way goes a long way. And though I have a gas fireplace, the extensive winter clothing I have as well as a European down comforter --that is SOOOO warm that I've only ever used it during power outages-- can get me by for a long time (along with my very warm snow-loving doggie).

Oh, and I have a hand pump espresso maker. Sometimes the little things can keep you sane.

Here's my burner:

Marthe48

(16,691 posts)
5. I've thought about getting one of those
Wed Feb 17, 2021, 12:21 PM
Feb 2021

Haven't used natural gas or butane much over the years. Would have to get used to using it safely

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