Sunday, February 11, 2007

extreme cold weather

what would you do in the case of extreme cold, no utilities and a bad storm?

some suggestions:
1) turn water off (to protect the pipes from freezing and bursting)
2) drain all faucets - store the water
3) remember, if you turn off the gas.. the utility company has to turn it back on again.
4) ventilate if cooking inside.
5) conserve heat inside the house.

window warmth
*sandwich the following materials: cardboard, quilt batting and mylar (emergency blankets) for each window opening.
*using firring strips (thin strips of wood), staple thick plastic into the window opening.
*other suggestions- fiberglass insulation in a wood frame, styrofoam insulation cut to fit each window, blankets...

cold weather clothing (made with dense foam batting) - instructions in the Boy Scout field book.
*wear next to the skin (like long john's); then normal clothes over the top.
*synthetic fabric inner layer (tricot works great), then 1/2" soft foam (indoors) or 1" soft foam (outdoors), outside fabric/shell should be breathable, wind-tight, not waterproof.
*bring paper next week if you would like the pattern for wrap 'n stuff.

galoshes made from canvas and connected to the sole of an old boot with a sewing awl and heavy-weight thread (several sizes too big to accomodate 1 1/2" medium weight foam boot liners).