10 Practical tips that will help you survive a long-term disaster without electricity
10/20/2019 / By Darnel Fernandez
Society has grown into one that relies heavily on electricity-powered devices, appliances and gadgets. Most people can’t even imagine a world without the convenience that comes with electricity. A lot of electrical outages usually last a few hours or maybe a few days. However, some disasters can lead to power outages that may last weeks, even more. In this situation, being prepared and having knowledge is imperative for surviving in a world without electricity. (h/t to ThePreppingGuide.com)
No power? No problem
Living without electricity is difficult, but definitely not impossible. Here are 10 tips that can help you get through even the darkest of situations:
- Stock up on the essentials. Preppers have the foresight to prepare for emergencies and stock up accordingly, giving them an edge over plenty of other people. Stockpiling foods with long shelf life is a smart choice to do, especially when cooking and storage become more difficult due to the lack of power. Foods such as honey, dried fruit, dried meat, and a variety of canned goods can go a long way in sustaining you and your family during a crisis. (Related: Tips for protecting your food supply when the grid goes down.)
- Light up the dark. Life without electricity means you’re gonna have a bad time if you’re afraid of the dark. Lanterns, headlamps, and flashlights are good solutions to the light problem, especially if you’ve stocked up on a lot of batteries beforehand. Fuel lanterns and candles can also help keep the darkness at bay. However, they can be a fire hazard if used irresponsibly.
- Turn off gas and water valves. Learn all the nooks and crannies of your home and find out how to shut off your water and gas valves. You wouldn’t want another disaster on top of the one you’re already in.
- Collect and store water. If you’re thoroughly prepared for any disaster, you should have stored a decent amount of potable water. However, these supplies don’t last long, especially if you’re providing for other people. Learn how to collect, filter, and store water. You can fill up water jugs or even create your own water filtration system.
- Find other ways to cook. Electrical stoves, microwaves, and refrigerators stop working in any grid-down situation, leaving you with only a few alternatives left. You can use gas-powered or propane stoves to cook whatever you need, provided you have enough fuel. If you happen to have a wood-burning stove, you can cook on top of it as long as it has a flat top.
- Get an alternative heat source. A wood-burning stove can also provide heating to your home in case it gets too cold. If you don’t have access to one, a kerosene or propane heater is more than enough to keep everyone cozy and warm.
- Find other means of entertainment. No power means no internet, so indoor entertainment becomes limited. You can spend time outdoors during the day, but when night approaches, you need to find other ways to keep yourself busy. Learning hobbies such as crocheting and sewing or playing board games can help stave off boredom and keep you sane.
- Do your chores in the morning. Speaking of keeping yourself busy, doing chores in the dead of night is nearly impossible, especially with limited light. Create a schedule to make the most out of the limited daylight you get.
- Keep yourself safe from the elements. The lack of air conditioning and heating can make summers brutal and winters even worse. During the summer, keep the drapes closed to prevent sunlight from streaming into your home and open up windows during warm summer evenings. If it gets too cold, add more insulation to your home by placing towels under doors. Cooking indoors can also turn up the heat in any cold situation.
- Make a bucket toilet system. Short power outages may not give you any problems with your toilet system. But if things go long term, its time to get a bucket system. To do so, put a garbage bag in a bucket, then add some cat litter at the bottom of the bag. If anyone decides to use the toilet, you can cover it with another layer.
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In a world where the internet and electricity reign supreme, many people will struggle to disconnect from their modern lifestyles and the luxuries that come with it when SHTF. However, with proper planning and preparation, you may survive the worst that a world without electricity can throw at you.
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Tagged Under: blackout, bug in, canned food, Collapse, electricity, emergencies, Food storage, food supply, grid down, homesteader, homesteading, how-to, internet, off grid, power, power failure, Power Outage, preparedness, prepper, prepping, SHTF, stockpiling, survival, survivalist, water filtration, water supply
