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Heating
Coal stores well if kept in a dark place and away from moving
air. Air speeds deterioration and breakdown, causing it to burn
more rapidly. Coal may be stored in a plastic-lined pit or in
sheds, bags, boxes, or barrels and should be kept away from circulating
air, light, and moisture. Cover it to lend protection from weather
and sun.
Wood. Hardwoods such as apple, cherry, and other fruit woods are
slow burning and sustain coals. Hardwoods are more difficult to
burn than softer woods, thus requiring a supply of kindling. Soft
woods such as pine and cedar are light in weight and burn very
rapidly, leaving ash and few coals for cooking. If you have a
fireplace or a wood/coal burning stove, you will want to store
several cords of firewood. Firewood is usually sold by the cord
which is a neat pile that totals 128 cubic feet. This pile is
four feet wide, four feet high, and eight feet long. Some dealers
sell wood by the ton. As a general rule of thumb, a standard cord
of air dried dense hardwood weighs about two tons and provides
as much heat as one ton of coal. Be suspicious of any alleged
cord delivered in a 1/2 or 3/4 ton pickup truck.
For best results, wood should be seasoned (dried) properly, usually
at east a year. A plastic tarp, wood planks, or other plastic
or metal sheeting over the woodpile is useful in keeping the wood
dry. Other types of fuels are more practical to store and use
than wood or coal.
Newspaper logs make a good and inexpensive source of fuel. You
may prepare the logs in the following manner:
- Use about eight pages of newspaper and open flat.
- Spread the stack, alternating the cut sides and folded sides.
- Place a 1" wood dowel or metal rod across one end and roll the
paper around the rod very tightly. Roll it until there are 6-8
inches left to roll, then slip another 8 pages underneath the
roll. Continue this procedure until you have a roll 4-6 inches
in diameter.
- With a fine wire, tie the roll on both ends. Withdraw the rod.
Your newspaper log is ready to use. Four of these logs will burn
about 1 hour.
Propane is another excellent fuel for indoor use. Like kerosene,
it produces carbon dioxide as it burns and is therefore not poisonous.
It does consume oxygen so be sure to crack a window when burning
propane.
Propane stores indefinitely, having no known shelf life. Propane
stoves and small portable heaters are very economical, simple
to use, and come the closest to approximating the type of convenience
most of us are accustomed to using on a daily basis.
The storage of propane is governed by strict local laws. In this
area you may store up to 1 gallon inside a building and up to
60 gallons stored outside. If you store more than these amounts,
you will need a special permit from the fire marshal.
The primary hazard in using propane is that it is heavier than
air and if a leak occurs it may "pool" which can create an explosive
atmosphere. Furthermore, basement natural gas heating units CANNOT
be legally converted for propane use. Again, the vapors are heavier
than air and form "pockets." Ignition sources such as water heaters
and electrical sources can cause an explosion.
White gas (Coleman fuel). Many families have camp stoves which
burn Coleman Fuel or white gasoline. These stoves are fairly easy
to use and produce a great amount of heat. However, they, like
charcoal, produce vast amounts of carbon monoxide. NEVER use a
Coleman Fuel stove indoors. It could be a fatal mistake to your
entire family.
Never store fuels in the house or near a heater. Use a metal store
cabinet which is vented on top and bottom and can be locked.
Kerosene (also known as Range Oil No. 1) is the cheapest of all
the storage fuels and is also very forgiving if you make a mistake.
Kerosene is not as explosive as gasoline and Coleman fuel. Kerosene
stores well for long periods of time and by introducing some fuel
additives it can be made to store even longer. However, do not
store it in metal containers for extended time periods unless
they are porcelain lined because the moisture in the kerosene
will rust through the container causing the kerosene to leak out.
Most hardware stores and home improvement centers sell kerosene
in five gallon plastic containers which store for many years.
A 55 gallon drum stores in the back yard, or ten 5 gallon plastic
containers will provide fuel enough to last an entire winter if
used sparingly.
Caution: To burn kerosene you will need a kerosene heater. There
are many models and sizes to choose from but remember that you
are not trying to heat your entire home. The larger the heater
the more fuel you will have to store. Most families should be
able to get by on a heater that produces about 9,600 BTUs of heat,
though kerosene heaters are made that will produce up to 25,000
to 30,000 BTUs. If you have the storage space to store the fuel
required by these larger heaters they are excellent investments,
but for most families the smaller heaters are more than adequate.
When selecting a kerosene heater be sure to get one that can double
as a cooking surface and source of light. Then when you are forced
to use it be sure to plan your meals so that they can be cooked
when you are using the heater for heat rather than wasting fuel
used for cooking only.
When kerosene burns it requires very little oxygen, compared to
charcoal. You must crack a window about 1/4 inch to allow enough
oxygen to enter the room to prevent asphyxiation. During combustion,
kerosene is not poisonous and is safe to use indoors. To prevent
possible fires you should always fill it outside. The momentary
incomplete combustion during lighting and extinguishing of kerosene
heaters can cause some unpleasant odors. To prevent these odors
from lingering in your home always light and extinguish the heater
out of doors. During normal operation a kerosene heater is practically
odorless.
Charcoal. Never use a charcoal burning device indoors. When charcoal
burns it is a voracious consumer of oxygen and will quickly deplete
the oxygen supply in your little "home within a home." Furthermore,
as it burns it produces vast amounts of carbon monoxide which
is a deadly poison. If you make the mistake of trying to heat
your home by burning charcoal it could prove fatal to your entire
family. Never burn charcoal indoors.
Cooking
To conserve your cooking fuel storage needs always do your emergency
cooking in the most efficient manner possible. Don't boil more
water than you need, extinguish the fire as soon as you finished,
plan your meals ahead of time to consolidate as much cooking as
possible, during the winter cook on top of your heating unit while
heating your home, and cook in a pressure cooker or other fuel
efficient container as much as possible. Keep enough fuel to provide
outdoor cooking for at least 7-10 days.
It is even possible to cook without using fuel at all. For example,
to cook dry beans you can place them inside a pressure cooker
with the proper amount of water and other ingredients needed and
place it on your heat source until it comes up to pressure. Then
turn off the heat, remove the pressure cooker and place inside
a large box filled with newspapers, blankets, or other insulating
materials. Leave it for two and a half hours and then open it,
your meal will be done, having cooked for two and a half hours
with no heat. If you don't have a large box in which to place
the pressure cooker, simply wrap it in several blankets and place
it in the corner.
Store matches in waterproof airtight tin with each piece of equipment
that must be lit with a flame.
Sterno fuel, a jellied petroleum product, is an excellent source
of fuel for inclusion in your back pack as part of your 72 hour
kit. Sterno is very light weight and easily ignited with a match
or a spark from flint and steel but is not explosive. It is also
safe for use indoors.
A Sterno stove can be purchased at any sporting goods store and
will retail between $3 and $8, depending upon the model you choose.
They fold up into a very small, compact unit ideal for carrying
in a pack. The fuel is readily available at all sporting goods
stores and many drug stores. One can of Sterno fuel, about the
diameter of a can of tuna fish and twice as high, will allow you
to cook six meals if used frugally. Chafing dishes and fondue
pots can also be used with Sterno.
Sterno is not without some problems. It will evaporate very easily,
even when the lid is securely fastened. If you use Sterno in your
72 hour kit you should check it every six to eight months to insure
that it has not evaporated beyond the point of usage. Because
of this problem it is not a good fuel for long-term storage. It
is a very expensive fuel to use compared to others fuel available,
but is extremely convenient and portable.
Coleman fuel (white gas), when used with a Coleman stove is another
excellent and convenient fuel for cooking. It is not as portable
nor as lightweight as Sterno, but produces a much greater BTU
value. Like Sterno, Coleman fuel has a tendency to evaporate even
when the container is tightly sealed so it is not a good fuel
for long-term storage. Unlike Sterno, however, it is highly volatile;
it will explode under the right conditions and should therefore
never be stored in the home. Because of its highly flammable nature
great care should always be exercised when lighting stoves and
lanterns that use Coleman fuel. Many serious burns have been caused
by carelessness with this product. Always store Coleman fuel in
the garage or shed, out of doors.
Charcoal is the least expensive fuel per BTU that the average
family can store. Remember that it must always be used out of
doors because of the vast amounts of poisonous carbon monoxide
it produces. Charcoal will store for extended period of time if
it is stored in air tight containers. It readily absorbs moisture
from the surrounding air so do not store it in the paper bags
it comes in for more than a few months or it may be difficult
to light. Transfer it to airtight metal or plastic containers
and it will keep almost forever.
Fifty or sixty dollars worth of charcoal will provide all the
cooking fuel a family will need for an entire year if used sparingly.
The best time to buy briquettes inexpensively is at the end of
the summer. Broken or torn bags of briquettes are usually sold
at a big discount. You will also want to store a small amount
of charcoal lighter
fluid (or kerosene). Newspapers will also provide an excellent
ignition source for charcoal when used in a funnel type of lighting
device.
To light charcoal using newspapers use two or three sheets, crumpled
up, and a #10 tin can. Cut both ends out of the can. Punch holes
every two inches around the lower edge of the can with a punch-type
can opener (for opening juice cans). Set the can down so the punches
holes are on the bottom. Place the crumpled newspaper in the bottom
of the can and place the charcoal briquettes on top of the newspaper.
Lift the can slightly and light the newspaper. Prop a small rock
under the bottom edge of the can to create a a good draft. The
briquettes will be ready to use in about 20-30 minutes. When the
coals are ready remove the chimney and place them in your cooker.
Never place burning charcoal directly on concrete or cement because
the heat will crack it. A wheelbarrow or old metal garbage can
lid makes an excellent container for this type of fire.
One of the nice things about charcoal is that you can regulate
the heat you will receive from them. Each briquette will produce
about 40 degrees of heat. If you are baking bread, for example,
and need 400 degrees of heat for your oven, simply use ten briquettes.
To conserve heat and thereby get the maximum heat value from your
charcoal you must learn to funnel the heat where you want it rather
than letting it dissipate into the air around you. One excellent
way to do this is to cook inside a cardboard oven. Take a cardboard
box, about the size of an orange crate, and cover it with aluminum
foil inside and out. Be sure that the shiny side is visible so
that maximum reflectivity is achieved. Turn the box on its side
so that the opening is no longer on the top but is on the side.
Place some small bricks or other noncombustible material inside
upon which you can rest a cookie sheet about two or three inches
above the bottom of the box. Place ten burning charcoal briquettes
between the bricks (if you need 400 degrees), place the support
for your cooking vessels, and then place your bread pans or whatever
else you are using on top of the cookie sheet. Prop a foil-covered
cardboard lid over the open side, leaving a large crack for air
to get in (charcoal needs a lot of air to burn) and bake your
bread, cake, cookies, etc. just like you would in your regular
oven. Your results will amaze you.
To make your own charcoal, select twigs, limbs, and branches of
fruit, nut and other hardwood trees; black walnuts and peach or
apricot pits may also be used. Cut wood into desired size, place
in a large can which has a few holes punched in it, put a lid
on the can and place the can in a hot fire. When the flames from
the holes in the can turn yellow-red, remove the can from the
fire and allow it to cool. Store the briquettes in a moisture-proof
container. Burn charcoal only in a well-ventilated area.
Wood and Coal. Many wood and coal burning stoves are made with
cooking surface. These are excellent to use indoors during the
winter because you may already be using it to heat the home. In
the summer, however, they are unbearably hot and are simply not
practical cooking appliances for indoor use. If you choose to
build a campfire on the ground outside be sure to use caution
and follow all the rules for safety. Little children, and even
many adults, are not aware of the tremendous dangers that open
fires may pose.
Kerosene. Many kerosene heaters will also double as a cooking
unit. In fact, it is probably a good idea to not purchase a kerosene
heater that cannot be used to cook on as well. Follow the same
precautions for cooking over kerosene as was discussed under the
section on heating your home with kerosene.
Propane. Many families have propane camp stoves. These are the
most convenient and easy to use of all emergency cooking appliances
available. They may be used indoors or out. As with other emergency
fuel sources, cook with a pressure cooker whenever possible to
conserve fuel.
Lighting
Most of the alternatives require a fire or flame, so use caution.
More home fires are caused by improper usage of fires used for
light than for any other purpose. Especially use extra caution
with children and flame. Teach them the proper safety procedures
to follow under emergency conditions. Allow them to practice these
skills under proper adult supervision now, rather than waiting
until an emergency strikes.
Cyalume sticks are the safest form of indoor lighting available
but very few people even know what they are. Cyalume sticks can
be purchased at most sporting goods stores for about $2 per stick.
They are a plastic stick about four inches in length and a half
inch in diameter. To activate them, simply bend them until the
glass tube inside them breaks, then shake to mix the chemicals
inside and it will glow a bright green light for up to eight hours.
Cyalume is the only form of light that is safe to turn on inside
a home after an earthquake. One of the great dangers after a serious
earthquake is caused by ruptured natural gas lines. If you flip
on a light switch or even turn on a flashlight you run the risk
of causing an explosion. Cyalume will not ignite natural gas.
Cyalume sticks are so safe that a baby can even use them for a
teether.
Flashlights are excellent for most types of emergencies except
in situations where ruptured natural gas lines may be present.
Never turn a flashlight on or off if there is any possibility
of ruptured gas lines. Go outside first, turn it on or off, then
enter the building.
The three main problems with relying upon flashlights is that
they give light to very small areas, the batteries run down fairly
quickly during use, and batteries do not store well for extended
time periods. Alkaline batteries store the best if stored in a
cool location and in an airtight container. These batteries should
be expected to store for three to five years. Many manufacturers
are now printing a date on the package indicating the date through
which the batteries should be good. When stored under ideal conditions
the shelf life will be much longer than that indicated. Lithium
batteries will store for about twice as long as alkaline batteries
(about ten years).
If you use flashlights be sure to use krypton or halogen light
bulbs in them because they last much longer and give off several
times more light than regular flashlight bulbs on the same energy
consumption. Store at least two or three extra bulbs in a place
where they will not be crushed or broken.
Candles. Every family should have a large supply of candles. Three
hundred sixty-five candles, or one per day is not too many. The
larger the better. Fifty-hour candles are available in both solid
and liquid form. White or light colored candles burn brighter
than dark candles. Tallow candles burn brighter, longer, and are
fairly smoke free when compared to wax candles. Their lighting
ability can be increased by placing an aluminum foil reflector
behind them or by placing them in front of a mirror. However,
candles are extremely dangerous indoors because of the high fire
danger--especially around children. For this reason be sure to
store several candle lanterns or broad-based candle holders. Be
sure to store a goodly supply of wooden matches
Save your candle ends for emergency use. Votive candles set in
empty jars will burn for up to 15 hours. Non-candles (plastic
dish and paper wicks) and a bottle of salad oil will provide hundreds
of hours of candle light.
Trench candles can be used as fireplace fuel or as a candle for
light. To make trench candles:
- Place a narrow strip of cloth or twisted string (for a wick) on
the edge of a stack of 6-10 newspapers.
- Roll the papers very tightly, leaving about 3/4" of wick extending
at each end.
- Tie the roll firmly with string or wire at 2-4" intervals.
- With a small saw, cut about 1" above each tie and pull the cut
sections into cone shapes. Pull the center string in each piece
toward the top of the cone to serve as a wick.
- Melt paraffin in a large saucepan set inside a larger pan of hot
water. Soak the pieces of candle in the paraffin for about 2 minutes.
- Remove the candles and place on a newspaper to dry.
Kerosene lamps are excellent sources of light and will burn for
approximately 45 hours on a quart of fuel. They burn bright and
are inexpensive to operate. The main problem with using them is
failure to properly trim the wicks and using the wrong size chimney.
Wicks should be trimmed in an arch, a "V," an "A" or straight
across the top. Failure to properly trim and maintain wicks will
result in smoke and poor light.
Aladdin type lamps that use a circular wick and mantle do not
need trimming and produce much more light (and heat) than conventional
kerosene lamps. These lamps, however, produce a great amount of
heat, getting up to 750 degrees F. If placed within 36 inches
of any combustible object such as wooden cabinets, walls, etc.
charring can occur. Great caution should therefore be exercised
to prevent accidental fires.
The higher the elevation the taller the chimney should be. Most
chimneys that come with kerosene lamps are made for use at sea
level. At about 4500 feet above sea level the chimney should be
about 18-20 inches high. If your chimney is not as tall as it
should be you can improvise by wrapping aluminum foil around the
top of it and extending it above the top. This will enable the
light to still come out of the bottom portion and yet provide
proper drawing of air for complete combustion. If the chimney
is too short it will result in smoke and poor light. Be sure to
store extra wicks, chimneys and mantles.
Propane and Coleman lanterns. Camp lanterns burning Coleman fuel
or propane make excellent sources of light. Caution should be
used in filling and lighting Coleman lanterns because the fuel
is highly volatile and a flash type fire is easy to set off. Always
fill them outside. Propane, on the other hand, is much safer.
It is not as explosive and does not burn quite as hot. A double
mantle lantern gives off as much light as two 100-watt light bulbs.
Either propane or Coleman fuel type lanterns are very reliable
and should be an integral part of your preparedness program. Be
sure to store plenty of extra mantles and matches.
Store lots of wooden matches (1,000-2,000 is not too many). Also
store butane cigarette lighters to light candles, lanterns and
fireplaces. It would be a good idea for everyone to have a personal
fire building kit with at least six different ways to start a
fire.
Above all, your home and family must be protected from the ravages
of fire by your actions. Study the instructions for any appliance
used for heating, cooking, or lighting and understand their features
as well as their limitations.
Don't go to sleep with any unvented burning device in your home.
Your family might not wake up.
Whatever you store, store it safely and legally. In an emergency,
survival may cause you to make decisions that are questionable
with regard to safety. Become educated to the inherent hazards
of your choices and make a decision based on as much verifiable
information as possible. You and your family's lives will depend
on it.
Consider carefully how you will provide fuel for your family for
heating, cooking, and lighting during times of emergencies. Next
to food, water, and shelter, energy is the most important item
you can store.
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