12 Brilliant Hacks That Will Help You Survive The Next Power Outage

No power? No problem. One of the not-so-wonderful aspects of the most wonderful time of the year? The potential for winter storms that wipe out electricity and water, making it difficult to even see, let alone stay warm or feed your family. Luckily, there are a few simple solutions that can get you through in a blackout. 1. Keep Your Freezer In Check https://www.facebook.com/sheila.p.russell/posts/1295761810437025:0 Plan ahead now with this clever quarter-in-a-cup-of-ice trick, and you won't have to wonder if food is safe to eat after your fridge loses power. "If the quarter has fallen to the bottom of the cup that means all the food defrosted and you should throw it out," reads the post. "But if the quarter is either on the top or in the middle of the cup then your food may still be ok." 2. DIY a Lantern https://www.youtube.com/watch?v9SZB5mFA8qo Strap a headlamp or flashlight to a jug of water to make an instant ambient light. 3. Light Your Way With Glow Sticks https://www.facebook.com/ann.c.muldowney/posts/1399375916756658 The rave fave can also come in pretty handy when the lights go out. Use them to line dark hallways. 4. Make a Flower Pot Heater https://www.youtube.com/watch?vnzKbFzUEWkA The jury's still out on whether or not this actually works well enough to try, but plenty of people have posted pictures and how-to videos of these homemade heaters. "Clay/terra-cotta pots absorb the thermal energy of the candles and convert it into radiant space heat," explains this video's description. 5. Use Your Washer as an Ice Cooler https://www.instagram.com/p/8fl9lKMTpm/?utm_sourceig_embed&utm_campaignembed_legacy In a pinch, fill your washer with ice or snow and use it as a cooler to keep food cold. As the ice melts, the washer will drain. This is a safer option than throwing food out in the snow because it can be more easily monitored and won't attract wild animals. 6. Build a Rocket Stove https://www.youtube.com/watch?vP6ValmUnjz4 All you need are soup cans, tin snips, and a bag of vermiculite. 7. Trap In Heat Burcu Avsar Draft stoppers are a simple but effective way to keep the house heated. Don't have them? DIY this idea, or simply roll up towels and tuck them under doors and along windowsills to keep the cold out. 8. Find a Second Use for Solar Lights Ever Never Again The same solar lights that light your yard can be pulled inside for use when the power goes out. Just remember to recharge them by the windows during the daytime. 9. Use Snow as a Water Source https://twitter.com/MarcyFeldPhoto/status/800457557349466116?ref_srctwsrc%5Etfw&ref_urlhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.countryliving.com%2Fhome-maintenance%2Ftips%2Fa41278%2Fgenius-power-outage-hacks%2F "Freshly melted snow is generally considered to be safe … without further treatment," Dr. Liz Bentley, head of The Weather Club at the Royal Meteorological Society, told The Guardian. "However, to be on the safe side, it is best to boil the water from melted snow for 10 minutes to kill any micro-organisms and germs that may exist." Still not convinced? You could always use melted pots or buckets of snow to flush the toilet when necessary. 10. Convert AAA Batteries to AA Batteries https://twitter.com/aaluminumeph/status/804645512397758464?ref_srctwsrc%5Etfw&ref_urlhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.countryliving.com%2Fhome-maintenance%2Ftips%2Fa41278%2Fgenius-power-outage-hacks%2F All out of AA? Use a strip of aluminum foil to fill the gap. The idea began circulating on Reddit and was given an official blessing by Lifehacker. 11. Take the Family Camping … Indoors pinterest.com Turn staying warm into a fun family activity or date night. Pitch a tent in the living room, grab pillows and blankets, and enjoy the extra warmth created by containing everyone's body heat. 12. Heat Tea Over a Candle https://twitter.com/jesikuhan/status/813425340773265408?ref_srctwsrc%5Etfw&ref_urlhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.countryliving.com%2Fhome-maintenance%2Ftips%2Fa41278%2Fgenius-power-outage-hacks%2F Hopefully, you have a gas oven, an outdoor grill, or some Sterno on hand, but if not, borrow this candle hack. Credits: countryliving What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments below

5. Use Your Washer as an Ice Cooler

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6. Build a Rocket Stove

7. Trap In Heat

8. Find a Second Use for Solar Lights