Food and water are essential, but you’ll die even faster if you freeze. Plus you need lighting to be able to do basic tasks like make food! In this video, we primarily talk about staying warm inside your residence. This is a good place to start, and you can build in more evacuation-friendly options too as you feel led.
Watch the video to get started on your Blackout Box and warmth plan!
Links to Items Listed in the Video
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Wood for fireplaces/firepits:
- Whenever you are pruning trees or bushes, keep the branches and dry them out!
- Don’t forget to store newspaper/paper too.
- You can go to Crown Land and cut down trees, but if you don’t have a truck or don’t have the support, this may not be feasible. We bulk purchase firewood instead. For those local to me, the Calgary-based company we go through is Timber Ridge Firewood.
- Store matches in a waterproof case and/or get a flint.
- Have a plan for storing your firewood off the ground and protected from rain. Consider a large backyard storage bin or a waterproof cover.
Propane heaters approved for indoor use:
Big Buddy (up to 300 sq ft)
Big Buddy carrying case
(There is a Little Buddy as well, though it does not say approved for indoor use like the Big Buddy, so use with caution).
Caution is required when in use. They have a shut-off feature to prevent all the oxygen from being used up in a room (and you going to sleep permanently). But obviously, use your discretion. Be sure you have stored propane to go along with it.
Simple options for insulating windows and doors:
Window insulator kit
Foam insulating tape
Blankets:
Long-lasting candles:
Full disclosure, I have not purchased any of these ones at this time as I’ve decided the stash I already have is good enough, but my online search indicated the following were good, competitively priced options.
72hr Unscented Survival Candle (2 count, with lids)
80hr Unscented Candle Pillars (6 count)
36hr Scented Canister Candle
Safety:
Include a fire blanket in your blackout box if your plan is to use fire, candles or propane!
Lighting:
Solar flashlight example (there are lots, so can browse around)
We really like our NEBO flashlight – is is USB rechargeable (which works for us since we have a solar generator), very bright, waterproof and bonus, makes a good defense tool.
Headlamps have also come in useful for us on multiple occasions.
Inflatable waterproof lanterns (we don’t have any of these yet, but I’ve read good reviews)
Backup Power and Communication Sources:
Portable power bank with light and crank radio
Short range walkie talkies
Jackery Solar Generator
This is a larger investment and something to consider once other preps are in place. We like knowing that we could power our freezer for a few hours, or a portable cooktop, or a laptop with our Jackery 1500. Watch the video for why we feel a solar generator was a better investment for us than gas-powered one for our suburban environment. We chose the 1500 because it offered enough power to be useful for a few hours at a time in a power outage situation (long enough to keep a freezer cold or cook some food on a portable stove top) without spending outside our budget. They go up to 3000 now!
Electronics protection consideration:
In the event of an EMP, your electronics will not work. Consider storing backup devices (especially things like walkie talkies) in Faraday bags or DIY Faraday cans. (See my Suburban Prepper Mom TikTok channel for more info).
Day 2 (Part 2) Homework
Day 2 worksheets are in your inbox if you are subscribed, or sign up here to receive them!
- Get a bin and start your blackout box with all the items you already have at home.
- Make a list of everything inside and tape it to the outside. Make a note of items that still need to be added to the bin.
- Write out your wishlist for other items you want to invest in and discuss your budget with your partner (if applicable).
- Share your main takeaways in the Suburban Prepper Moms Facebook group using the hashtag #Day2SPMChallenge – participation is rewarded with monthly draws!