Chemical heating pads, hot bottles and window insulation: useful life hacks to survive the cold during blackouts
Due to Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, many Ukrainians are left without electricity and heating in the winter. Safe ways to heat homes and dangerous methods that can lead to poisoning or explosion are listed.
This is reported by “Pryamiy” .
Heating without electricity
In the absence of electricity, the options become fewer. A more or less safe way to heat an apartment without light is a gas catalytic heater . It has no open flame, is silent and does not require connection to an outlet. The device can be used indoors, but you must keep the window open for ventilation. It is also necessary to place the device on a fireproof surface and hang a carbon monoxide detector in the room.
Some crafters make homemade heaters during blackouts. For example, you can build a DIY candle heater out of candles and clay flower pots.
Another popular method is to heat the brick over gas or a campfire and then bring it indoors. The object will give off heat for a while, but it is important to keep it on a fireproof surface.
When using homemade devices, do not leave them unattended and do not allow children and pets to access them.
Life hacks for staying warm
Chemical heating pads are mini gadgets that warm your hands or feet for several hours. They are easy to buy or order online, and are convenient for short stays in the cold.
Hot water bottles are a classic survival tool. You fill the bottle with hot water and place it under a blanket or at your feet. It releases heat gradually and over a long period of time.
Creating one warm zone in an apartment instead of heating the entire home helps to retain more heat. You need to select one room, close the doors and windows, creating a warm island.
Insulating windows and doors with thermal curtains, thermal film, fabric, tape, or any dense materials helps minimize drafts. Even a regular blanket on the window has a noticeable effect.
Using solar heat and carpets on the walls is also effective. During the day, you need to open the curtains to let in the solar heat, and carpets on the walls and floor help to trap the heat inside the room.
Hot food and drinks help warm the body from the inside. Soup, tea, cocoa – a simple and effective way not to freeze.
Moderate exercise is also important. Warming up, light exercise, or even household chores can help maintain body temperature.
Getting a cat is another way to stay warm. An animal warms you with its body and also cheers you up on difficult cold days. In addition, this way you can save a life and give a new home to a homeless animal.
Safe ways to heat with electricity
If the house has electricity at least occasionally or has a generator, the situation is simplified. In this case, you can use battery heaters and ceramic panels . The latter heat the room from the outlet, and after the lights are turned off, they continue to release the accumulated heat for several hours.
Heated electrical gadgets, such as space heaters, electric blankets, or foot warmers, can be used when you have access to a generator or power bank. The main thing is to follow safety rules.
Dangerous heating methods
Experts categorically do not recommend using a gas stove for heating a room . If the pressure in the system drops, the burner may go out, and gas will continue to flow into the room, which threatens poisoning and explosion. The stove can be turned on only in extreme cases, under constant supervision and with the presence of a gas sensor in the house.
Experts also warn about the dangers of tourist burners and gas convectors . Such devices are strictly prohibited from being used in domestic premises without good ventilation. During their operation, oxygen is consumed from the air and carbon dioxide is released, which poses a risk of fatal suffocation. The cylinders themselves can explode if stored improperly.
A stove in an apartment is also illegal and very dangerous . Stove heating can only be used in private homes and with experience working with such equipment.
Additional tips from users
Netizens also shared simple methods to stay warm. Thick blankets or towels draped over doorways and windows help keep the heat inside.
To insulate the floor, it is recommended to place a rug, a couple of blankets, or even old jackets under the mattress. This creates an insulating layer that reduces heat loss through the cold floor.
If you have a small portable battery-powered heater, you can use it in the morning to warm up the bathroom or toilet. Then go in there while the room is still warm – the moist air accelerates the feeling of warmth.
In the absence of central heating, the body is the most reliable source of heat. You need to concentrate on one space, close doors and windows, and insulate gaps with blankets or towels.
It is worth adding that in Ukraine, houses with electric heating will no longer be disconnected from the electricity supply during planned restrictions . Such houses will be classified as critical infrastructure facilities, however, power outages are possible in the event of emergency outages.
It was previously reported that Ukraine’s energy system is in difficult conditions due to intensive Russian shelling and the most severe winter in 20 years . In connection with the emergency situation in the energy sector, the Government has identified a set of measures to overcome its consequences.
By the way, on January 15, the Russian army destroyed a critical energy infrastructure facility in Kharkiv with a missile attack.
As a reminder, Russian occupiers struck at Ukrainian energy infrastructure facilities , resulting in power outages for consumers in Zhytomyr and Kharkiv regions.
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