If you're at least 30, you probably remember a time when phones didn't need to be plugged into electrical outlets. You just plugged them into the phone line and they worked--even when the power was out. That's because phone companies send a little bit of power through the landlines, and they have backup generators that … [Read more...]
9 Supplies You Need for a Summer Power Outage
Just do a quick perusal of the internet and you'll find countless articles explaining what to buy and how to warm your house in the event of a winter power outage. But do you know what to do in the event of a summer power outage? Thousands of people die each year from hypothermia (abnormal cooling of the body’s … [Read more...]
15 Fuel Storage Safety Tips You Need to Know
Unless you have a way to generate power, you’ll need to stock up on fuel in case the power goes out---or worse, the entire power grid goes down. However, too many preppers stockpile batteries, propane, and gasoline in ways that not only reduce their shelf life, but also pose major safety hazards. The purpose of this … [Read more...]
Make an Altoids Mini iPhone Charger
This is really cool. Readiness Plan made a video tutorial explaining how to make a portable phone charger with just a few things: 9V snap connector, 9V USB car charger, electrical tape, 9V battery, rubber band, multi-tool, and of course a mini Altoids tin. If you plan on using this a lot, you'll want to stock up on … [Read more...]
11 Powerless Tools You’ll Need After The SHTF
If you're living through a long-term disaster, odds are the power is out and gasoline is scarce, which means most of your power tools are useless. You might not think this is very important, but you'll need non-power tools for things like boarding up windows, cutting tree branches, and various DIY projects. In this … [Read more...]
17 Ways You Can Stay Warm When The Power Goes Out
A cold snap accompanied by strong winds and heavy snow or ice often results in the power going out. This can be very dangerous for people who rely on electricity to heat their homes in the winter. It's important to have a plan in place to keep yourself and your family warm while riding out a power … [Read more...]
3 Ways To Start Your Off Grid Transition
When the subject of off-grid living comes up, the average person pictures guys with scruffy beards living in makeshift shelters in the woods. But living off-grid is simply about liberty, independence, and shunning the corporate/government machine that wants to control every facet of your life. The less you have to rely … [Read more...]
How to Charge a Cell Phone With Batteries
Here's a skill that could come in handy. Imagine your phone is dying and you have no way to charge it--the power has been out all day, or you're stranded somewhere and your car's battery is dead. In a situation like that, you might still have access to your car charger and some batteries. If only you could get the … [Read more...]
20 Ways to Stay Cool Without Power
I've written about how to keep warm without power, but keeping cool is a greater challenge down here on the Gulf Coast. After hurricane Katrina the power was out for two weeks and we were miserable, constantly wiping sweat out of our eyes and fanning ourselves with magazines. Almost every survival site has an … [Read more...]
The Ultimate Guide To DIY Off Grid Solar Power
If you're at all interested in setting up a solar power system, then I have the ultimate video series for you. It was created by Tin Hat Ranch, and it's the perfect introduction for anyone who wants to be as comfortable as possible if the grid goes down. Some people argue that as long as you know how to do things … [Read more...]
11 Ways To Light Your Home When The Power Goes Out
Imagine you're relaxing on the couch with your phone or tablet -- perhaps reading an article on Urban Survival Site -- when lightning flashes against the windows followed by a deafening crack of thunder. An instant later the lights go out and your home becomes dark and eerily quiet. What is the first thing you would do … [Read more...]
Endless Hot Water Without Electricity
Engineer775 has an ingenious setup where he can easily heat water without using any electricity. He made a coil from some copper tubing and placed it inside a stovepipe. Basically, the fire heats up the coil to several hundred degrees, and as water flows through the coil, it gets nice and hot. After that, it dumps … [Read more...]
