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Sorry to hear what's happening in #Texas and environs.
If your power is out and you don't have another internal heat source, here are some small improvements you can make to your situation that might not have crossed your mind (yet). (Greetings from snowy NH...) #TexasFreeze
If your power is out and you don't have another internal heat source, here are some small improvements you can make to your situation that might not have crossed your mind (yet). (Greetings from snowy NH...) #TexasFreeze
First, if your power is out because of ice, please don't drive on the roads.
Ice doesn't care about the four wheel drive on your truck.
Ice doesn't care about the four wheel drive on your truck.
As for heat - do *not* bring anything meant for the outside inside, like a gas grill.
That said, you'd be surprised how even in some really cold weather, spending some time outside around a grill or campfire setup can warm you up, esp. if protected from wind.
That said, you'd be surprised how even in some really cold weather, spending some time outside around a grill or campfire setup can warm you up, esp. if protected from wind.
Layers!
It's surprising what putting on three shirts on can do. Sweats on top of your jeans? Socks for mittens? Why not?
You're not going anywhere anyway, so...
It's surprising what putting on three shirts on can do. Sweats on top of your jeans? Socks for mittens? Why not?
You're not going anywhere anyway, so...
Windows.
They can bring a lot of cold in. Are there towels, blankets, etc. you can use to cover them up?
On the flip side: the minute there's any direct sun to be had, they can do wonders to heat a room up, so keep an eye out.
They can bring a lot of cold in. Are there towels, blankets, etc. you can use to cover them up?
On the flip side: the minute there's any direct sun to be had, they can do wonders to heat a room up, so keep an eye out.
Closing off spaces. (This is a pretty common thing for old New England homes in winter.)
Are there parts of your home you don't need to be in for a day or two? Close the doors, or if no door, hang a blanket at the entry.
(Don't do this at the expense of frozen pipers, tho.)
Are there parts of your home you don't need to be in for a day or two? Close the doors, or if no door, hang a blanket at the entry.
(Don't do this at the expense of frozen pipers, tho.)
Layers (again).
Put some more blankets on your bed. Out of blankets? Coats! Pets!
Heavy and annoying, esp. with all the clothing layers? Yes. But surprising what it can do for preserving heat.
Put some more blankets on your bed. Out of blankets? Coats! Pets!
Heavy and annoying, esp. with all the clothing layers? Yes. But surprising what it can do for preserving heat.
Do you have a fireplace you never use and are tempted to use?
That's a tough one.
I wouldn't recommend it without knowing the status of the chimney.
In any event, never let it keep burning after going to sleep if it's an unfamiliar fireplace/stove.
Maybe just don't use it.
That's a tough one.
I wouldn't recommend it without knowing the status of the chimney.
In any event, never let it keep burning after going to sleep if it's an unfamiliar fireplace/stove.
Maybe just don't use it.
Finally, not sure how long you have to endure this, but: you'll be surprised how your body adjusts to temp changes over time.
The 50 degree room that's painful today might be less so tomorrow.
(Of course, there are limits. Don't endanger your health if you can avoid it.)
The 50 degree room that's painful today might be less so tomorrow.
(Of course, there are limits. Don't endanger your health if you can avoid it.)
p.s. Great advice if you haven't lost power yet and you expect you might (*assume* you will). https://twitter.com/ethnobot/status/1361418454629163020
p.p.s.
Roll up some towels and shove them up against the bottom of all your exterior doors. Canceling out a tiny bit of subzero wind is a victory for warmth.
Roll up some towels and shove them up against the bottom of all your exterior doors. Canceling out a tiny bit of subzero wind is a victory for warmth.
