General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTips for surviving inside your cold house
Last edited Thu Feb 18, 2021, 12:08 AM - Edit history (4)
My family and several friends live in the Dallas Ft. Worth, Texas area. Watching a WFAA TV News feed this morning they had a short interview with Chrystal Smith from the local American Red Cross. She offered a few tips for conserving heat energy inside your home. Thought this might help someone out there in the extreme chill this AM.
(1) Shut all doors in your home and place towels under each door to conserve heat energy
(2) Wear loose fitting clothing and lots of layers
(3) All people in one room
She also said that several Warming Centers had been opened providing cots, blankets, water and snacks. Check your County Website or with the American Red Cross for more information.
These are just 3 tips that can help and I'm sure there are more. Hoping others hear have helpful and practical suggestions or experience to share. Also, check on elderly neighbors and others who may need assistance right now. Many are without power or heat trying to get through this dangerous and historical weather event.
EDITED TO ADD:I posted this today for 2 reasons. First was to make ideas and suggestions available to those who could immediately put them to work. It did that.
Second was to get ideas on this subject for my afternoon phone call today with my Senior parents in DFW. They are doing fine and are safe tonight!
I thank everyone who responded. Another fine example of the kind and resourceful people here on DU. If these types of posts (from this one and others) have helped even one person be a little warmer, or a little less afraid or even just a little bit safer, then it has been worth everyones effort!
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EDIT 2: Here's another link to a similar and helpful thread by Peacetrain earlier today. Thank You!:
Good ideas to share with all the DU'er's stuck in the freeze zone.
https://democraticunderground.com/100215116550
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EDIT 3:
ADDING AN IMPORTANT LINK FROM THE CDC SITE ON CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING
CO poisoning is entirely preventable. Protect yourself and your family by learning the symptoms of CO poisoning and how to prevent it.
Never run a motor vehicle, generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine less than 20 feet from an open window, door, or vent where exhaust can vent into an enclosed area.
Never use a charcoal grill, hibachi, lantern, or portable camping stove inside a home, tent, or camper.
Never run a generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine inside a basement, garage, or other enclosed structure, even if the doors or windows are open.
More at link:
https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/features/copoisoning/index.html
Another link at the CDC to their "Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Website" with more information.
https://www.cdc.gov/co/default.htm
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There were LOTS of Posts in the last couple of days (not referenced here) with helpful info and experiences from other DU'er's. Search them out and stay warm out there!
flor-de-jasmim
(2,125 posts)Duppers
(28,117 posts)Even pulled the mattress off the bed in spare bedrm & covered the one window there.
We put our then 1yr old kiddo in his snowsuit (remember those?), put 4 or 5 blankets on our king-sized bed & all 3 of us pretty much stayed in bed. We didn't freeze. Electricity was off for 3 days. When the streets were cleared enough, we went to a Burger King to really warm up tho.
hlthe2b
(102,141 posts)Double the wool socks. Put on a hat. You will be amazed at how comfortable you can remain if your hands, feet, and face (nose) are not cold.
dalton99a
(81,406 posts)They are visible in the daytime and can be felt.
Gaps around doors that are too small for towels can be filled with cardboard, paper towels, folded strips of paper, blue masking tape, etc.
marble falls
(57,013 posts)... we two old relics are doing fine. I shoveled snow yesterday for the first time in over twenty years. Shovel 10 minutes, go inside for a half an hour. Repeat.
Powers been staying on for three or four hours and then off for three or four since Sunday.
They announced opening a warming center, but they almost seemed to discourage anyone from using it here in Trumpland.
LazySusanNot
(192 posts)Glad you old relics are doing fine!
Kicking for exposure.
Turbineguy
(37,295 posts)littlemissmartypants
(22,594 posts)neohippie
(1,142 posts)I read the other day that putting your candles into a metal can will let the candle heat the metal and can raise the temp around the can by 20 degrees, amplifying that heat source may work with glass too
BobTheSubgenius
(11,560 posts)...coined the phrase "heavy metal", but wrote some good songs.
Who from those days would have ever thought that we'd be rolling in an ocean of better weed than we could have dreamed of?
Keep having fun, ya old geezers!
Shermann
(7,399 posts)Things tend to get heated when that happens.
FailureToCommunicate
(14,007 posts)Cairycat
(1,704 posts)covering your head can help you feel warmer
marble falls
(57,013 posts)UpInArms
(51,280 posts)For when I feed my horses ...
Close fitting undershirt
Long sleeve turtleneck
Light wool sweater
Sweatshirt
Knee socks
Crew socks
Footies
Fleece leggings
Levis
Down vest
Coveralls
Lined work coat with hood
Fleece Ear band
Wool scarf
Knitted cap
Sub zero muck boots
ETA: two pairs of gloves
Have also found wearing a face mask helps to keep my cheeks warm
Dont know if that will help anyone stay warm, but it is currently -15 and I will be out in the weather for at least 45 minutes and I do not get cold
Response to UpInArms (Reply #10)
drray23 This message was self-deleted by its author.
drray23
(7,619 posts)is going to lie with your horses in the hay. That should keep you warm.
BobTheSubgenius
(11,560 posts)That transfer fell through, but I still have a down vest and a down-filled parka that's supposed to be good to -40. I don't know about that, empirically, but I was outside in weather where wind chill took us to -30, and I was toasty warm.
Oddly, I don't use them much, since settling in a place where people freak out if a flake falls from the sky. I just can't bring myself to get rid of them, though.
(This year, we had TWO snow days, back to back, each setting a record. Total accumulation, about 25cm, or about 10 inches. So far, little rioting and looting, but we expect it.)
UpInArms
(51,280 posts)And ended up 14 miles south of iowa ...
I learned that there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes
When I got here, all of my clothes were bad 😂😂
BobTheSubgenius
(11,560 posts)For quality and quantity of funny sayings, though, TX is hard to beat. My favourite:
"If you wanted to be a bigger idiot, you'd have to put on weight."
Delphinus
(11,825 posts)impressive!
LazySusanNot
(192 posts)and came up with a few. I have not looked into the scientific efficacy of any of these so do your own research.
Here a just a few of the ones I found. Im sure there are others.
Whole grains and complex carbs
Cumin
Fresh Ginger
Bananas
Turmeric
Cinnamon
Dried Fruits
Eggs
Cayenne Pepper
Brown Rice
Peanuts
Coconut oil
NOT ALCOHOL
Irish_Dem
(46,577 posts)some of these foods.
LazySusanNot
(192 posts)I also read in a couple of articles about drinking ice water or iced coffee to help warm up. I had always thought this would help lose body heat instead of gaining it. According to one of the articles about ice water:
"Seems counter intuitive, dont it? Your whole life youve been raised to believe that warm drinks like hot chocolate are perfect winter beverages. But your basal body temperature will fluctuate to try and counteract the effects of hot liquid, meaning your body temperature will drop from drinking even one cup of cocoa. Cold water has the opposite effect, raising your core temperature to counteract the chilly liquid."
https://www.tastemade.com/articles/7-food-and-drinks-scientifically-proven-to-warm-you-up-and-one-that-won-t
Irish_Dem
(46,577 posts)I am not sure how it would work in winter.
My body thermostat does not work very well any more.
Yes I added some of the spices and foods you listed for lunch and snacks.
Response to LazySusanNot (Original post)
AllaN01Bear This message was self-deleted by its author.
blue sky at night
(3,242 posts)In my very efficient cast iron wood stove...never been without heat since 1981. I like procuring my own fuel as I get a real workout in all phases of it.
MontanaMama
(23,296 posts)Preparing for a long winter is comforting and youre right, great exercise.
Shermann
(7,399 posts)I remember seeing that corny saying was on a wall hanging of one of my neighbors growing up. It kind of stuck with me.
Ramsey Barner
(349 posts)"I had an old axe which nobody claimed, with which by spells in winter days, on the sunny side of the house, I played-about with stumps which I had got out of my bean-field. [T]hey warmed me twice, once while I was splitting them, and again when they were on the fire, so that no fuel could give more heat." - Henry David Thoreau
rickford66
(5,522 posts)Some ventilation is needed under any circumstances.
LazySusanNot
(192 posts)along with this from the CDC.
CO poisoning is entirely preventable. Protect yourself and your family by learning the symptoms of CO poisoning and how to prevent it.
Never run a motor vehicle, generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine less than 20 feet from an open window, door, or vent where exhaust can vent into an enclosed area.
Never use a charcoal grill, hibachi, lantern, or portable camping stove inside a home, tent, or camper.
Never run a generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine inside a basement, garage, or other enclosed structure, even if the doors or windows are open.
More at link:
https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/features/copoisoning/index.html
Edited to add another link at the CDC to their "Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Website" with more information.
https://www.cdc.gov/co/default.htm
randr
(12,409 posts)Especially pipes located on exterior walls
MontanaMama
(23,296 posts)Lots of ways to build these simple heaters...YouTube has dozens of how-tos.
LazySusanNot
(192 posts)I'm going to try this to get a feel for how well it works. Also a reminder for anyone with opens flames (even small ones) and sealed up rooms. See above in Replys #19 and #21 for safety considerations. Good ideas here to help stay warm - but be safe in the process!
CaptainTruth
(6,576 posts)Not sure many folks go camping anymore, but I used to do a bit of winter camping (the Grand Canyon is beautiful in January, with the snow, & you have the campground to yourself, just you & a couple other people crazy enough to be there in freezing temperatures!) so I had a good sleeping bag. If I was stuck in freezing Texas with no power & no (or little) heat I would be in that bag.
bucolic_frolic
(43,063 posts)If the water runs, you could put it in metal pots in your room and gain a few hours of diminishing warmth.
If your hot water tank is poorly insulated and the outside is warm, put something cold on the top - a pot of water with a lid, or a brick, and when that warms up, move it to your living space.
NutmegYankee
(16,199 posts)Run a shower on full hot. The bathroom will become a sauna. If you plug the drain, the ~120 degree water will heat the room for a hour.
Peacetrain
(22,872 posts)and started one of my own.. I am going to cross reference your thread in mine.. great ideas in here: hi:
LazySusanNot
(192 posts)Here's another link to a similar and helpful thread by Peacetrain:
Good ideas to share with all the DU'er stuck in the freeze zone
https://democraticunderground.com/100215116550
FailureToCommunicate
(14,007 posts)to flooding from frozen pipes (flooding and frozen pipes in other units).
And no one had power for lights or heat because of the "rolling blackouts"... that don't seem to be rolling.
They sat in their cars last night trying to stay warm (aware of the danger of exhaust gas).
The notion of going to warming centers is fraught with it's own peril these days with the pandemic, so that's not a great option.
It's a crumby situation. We're hoping that their coping skills are sufficient to get thru this.
Unfortunately, the weather prediction is for more ice and snow and below freezing temps for the next several days. Yikes.
Ironically, parts of New England are above normal temps. Also, our buildings and houses are built to somewhat better deal with extreme cold.
So sorry for all of you having to go thru this bizarre cold weather.
-FTC
LazySusanNot
(192 posts)Yes. It's so easy in the face of a new disaster to forget (for a second) the one we've been living with for so long.
FailureToCommunicate
(14,007 posts)LazySusanNot
(192 posts)See OP at top for edit about this post. Thanks to all who contributed!!!