Almost there

Okay, so, I’m working on a post about preserving meat. I really, really am… but I want to do more than just a cursory run past the topic, and give you a couple of pointers. As such, it’s going to have to wait for another couple of weeks.

Fortunately (if that’s the word), there are topical issues to discuss: a sizable part of the country is basically an ice block, and Texas in particular is hurting, with outages and rolling blackouts, ice, snow, single-digit temps, and the like.

Now, there’s a discussion to be had about the causes–of the weather, of the power grid problems, and the like. We won’t be having those discussions here; they’re being dealt with elsewhere. (Yes, global warming can cause cold disasters. No, the blackouts aren’t because of solar and wind generation…)

As to the immediate personal problems being posed… Let’s start with ways to keep warm. There are really quite a few. If you have a nylon pop-up tent, set it up. Do it in the center of the house, as best you can–but even just in the living room is fine. Cover it with sheets and/or blankets. Now, spend as much time as feasible inside it.

Make sure you’ve got plenty of blankets for yourself, and there’s padding between you and the floor.

Wear a hat. Even indoors. You lose a sizable portion of your body heat via your head. Cover it up.

If you don’t have a tent, try to isolate yourself to one, ideally somewhat smaller room, especially if you can close the door.

I’m hesitant to advise candles for heat and light–it’s far too easy to knock one over and set the house ablaze, at which point the cold is only one of your worries, and not the most immediate one, at that. But in extremis it’s an option. (If you have ever made, or can make, one of the inverted terra-cotta pot candle heaters, they work well enough for emergencies, and aren’t quite as dangerous as just open candles.)

If you have the ability to cook things, do so. Hot liquids are your friend, particularly. If you have a thermos, you can keep a fair amount of liquid piping hot for a good while. And if your ability to cook/heat food is intermittent, remember that a cooler will also keep things warm.

Hot water bottles are also nice, if you have them. If not, try heating a foil-wrapped brick. It’s less comfortable, but heat ergs are heat ergs.

Remember that your car can be used as an extremely inefficient charger for electrical devices (cell phones, etc). If they’re running, you can also run ghe heater and warm up a little. But you need to have gas in the tank… And please, for the love of all that’s sacred, don’t run the engine in a closed garage, or if the exhaust is in any way contained or blocked.

Likewise, if you’re fortunate enough to have a generator, don’t run it inside the house. Carbon monoxide is no bueno.

If you have pipes on danger of freezing, remember: running water takes longer to freeze than standing water. Turn on the faucets to a trickle. Yes, it’ll run up your water bill, but not as much as a burst pipe will.

Layer your clothing. Natural fibers are generally more insulating, and breathe better, for a given thickness of material. Put the hat back on. Try to get your various pets in the same space with you. They give off a good bit of heat, and need some help staying warm, too.

All of this is a good start… I’m sure that others of my readers can chime in with additional suggestions…

And next time, for reals, cured meat. 🙂