In an Emergency Situation
Heat, Light, and Power Sources are at the top of the list.
Here are a few things to think about!
Fire Starters:
Store matches (waterproofed), butane lighters, flint and steel,
and charcoal starter.
Fireplace, Open Flame:
Campfire or Outside Firepit - suspend a Dutch oven over the heat
by using a tripod, much like the earlier settlers did, or
set the Dutch oven directly on the hot embers
you have made in the fireplace or outside campfire.
Wood Burning - Coal Stoves:
Use frying pans or pots on top to cook your meal.
Gas Camp Stoves:
(White Gas, Gasoline, Kerosene, and Propane Options)
Two burners using white gas will operate 4 hours on 1 quart.
Use outdoors only.
Barbecue Grill:
(Include 5 Gallon Tank of Propane.)
This stores well and is easy to use.
Sterno:
Works well for small quantities of food.
Valcano:
Is a type of outdoor cook stove that you can use with
2 Dutch ovens and charcoal.
It is very fuel efficient, using about half of the charcoal
you would use normally with your Dutch oven.
A few briquettes can roast, fry, bake . . . etc.
Dutch Ovens:
A 10" Dutch oven with 6 or7 briquettes on the lid and 5 or 6
underneath will cook a pot full of food.
Use outdoors only.
Hibachi:
Four or five charcoal briquettes in an 8"x8" Hibachi will
generate enough heat to cook a simple meal.
Should only be used outdoors.
Alcohol Stove:
Place 1 roll of toilet paper in 1 quart paint can.
Pour Isopropyl rubbing alcohol over the TP and light with a match.
The can will not get hot on the bottom until the alcohol has burned down.
Extinguish the flame, add more alcohol and relight.
Control the intensity of the heat by adjusting the lid.
Charcoal Stove:
Turn a #10 can into a charcoal stove.
Cut out top and bottom of the can.
Punch holes around the top and bottom.
Punch many holes in the lid and wire it about half way up the can.
Place the charcoal on it to light.
Use a sturdy piece of wire screening, or crisscross wire across
the top to create a cooking rack.
Flashlights:
New batteries last 6-7 hours of continuous use.
Six-month old batteries last 5-6 hours.
Candles:
3/4"x4-inch candles will burn for 2 hours and 20 minutes.
Coleman Mantle Lantern:
Two mantle lantern will burn 5 hours on 1/2 quart of kerosene.
Light Sticks:
Are the safest emergency light.
Generators:
Are an excellent source of safe power.
However, they use a great deal of fuel.
Most run on gasoline, burning 1/2 to 3 gallons per hour.
Itemize energy requirements in order to select the appropriate
size needed.
Use the smallest size possible for less fuel needs.
Operate generators in an open area with good ventilation.
DO NOT ATTACH the generator to your house current without
approved transfer switches.
the electrical "back feed" can injure or even kill utiliy workers repairing the power lines.
Challenge:
Try to have at least one item in each area so that you can
have heat, light and some source of power in case of an emergency!
