PM's Self Reliance Tools: The lights are out... now what

Poor Man Survival

Self Reliance tools for independent minded people…

www.poormansurvivor.net

ISSN 2161-5543

A Digest of Urban Survival Resources

The lights are out... now what

Hurricane, tornado, thunderstorm and fire season is here, and one of the biggest mistakes one can make is filling a cache in preparation for a weather event with all manner of expensive and technical supplies while forgoing research and preparation necessary to meet some of the most basic likely challenges of a long term grid down scenario.

You know all those expensive flashlights and fuel lanterns you own? Depending on how long a power outage situation lasts, there's a possibility that they'll become useless before your need for a light source ends.

Imagine spending thousands only to find yourself sitting in the dark because you didn't consider the need for cheap light that doesn't require a power source.

You can save yourself that headache by going ahead today and picking up a few boxes of cheap emergency candles to store with your prepping equipment.

It also may be a good idea to have a store of wax on hand for grid-down preparedness. Wax is useful for a number of preparation scenarios. And, if you have wax on hand, you can make candles using these instructions from Old Sturbridge Village:

Equipment Needed

· Thermometer — Type used for jelly or candy making.

· Double boiler — This can be a tall metal juice can in a pan of water, stove or hot plate.

· Wax — Good candle wax, often referred to as "145 melt point" — It is harder than kitchen paraffin and makes better candles.

· Wicking — Medium or fine-braided cotton wicking, purchased by the yard.

· Sticks, pencils, or dowels for holding the wicks.

· Scissors

· Sharp knife

· Newspapers for the floor

· Pot holders

· Baking soda — For safety, have an open bowl of baking soda nearby; it can be used to extinguish fires in an emergency.

Instructions

1. Start the wax melting: Break up the wax into fist-size chunks and put them into the top pot of the double boiler over medium heat so that the water is boiling. It will take about 1/2 hour to melt the wax. When the wax is nearly melted, check the temperature. The wax should be 150 degrees. If it is too hot, turn it off and wait for it to cool down.

2. Get the wax ready: While the wax is melting, measure out a piece of wick that is about the same length as your wax container. Add 2 inches to tie the knot. Tie each wick around a stick. You can put more than one wick on a stick as long as they fit in the pot without touching.

**Caution: Remember that wax and fire are potential hazards. Don't overlook basic care and safety. Watch out for loose clothing. Keep pots firmly on the burners. Have potholders ready. You might like to know that wax at 150 degrees will not burn you but the hot water is a hazard. Throw baking soda on any drops near the stove or burner.

3. Dipping the candles: Dip the wick into the wax so that the wick, not the knot, is submerged. This is just a quick dip; take it right out and wait a few seconds for the wax to harden. Dip again. For the first three or four dips the wick will be crooked and kinky. After about four dips, gently pull the wick straight. Be careful not to pull off the wax. After each dip now you should straighten the candle. In the beginning, you can dip in fairly quick succession, but as the wax builds up, it retains heat and you must wait several minutes between each dip.

A candle gets dipped about 20 times.

You can judge for yourself if it is the right size and if it looks like it will fit into a candle holder. When it is the right size, cut off the oddly shaped butt end with a knife and dip it once more into the wax. Let candles "cure" by hanging the sticks somewhere for an hour or so.

Now, simply cut the candles from the sticks and you're ready for anything!

Yours for the truth,

Bob Livingston
Editor, The Bob Livingston Letter^®

SIDEBAR

How to Prepare for Food Shortages in 2023

Why have food prices risen so wildly over the last 12 months?

And what does it have to do with Covid-19, labor shortages and supply?

Has government policy made it worse?

And what should you do to prepare for the social, economic, and political pain to come?

Click Here to Discover 'How to Prepare for Food Shortages in 2023' <<

Vaseline is an American brand of products made from petroleum jelly. Petroleum jelly has its roots as a by-product of the oil refining industry in the 1800s. This unique, jelly-like substance has many uses and a long shelf-life, making it well-suited for homesteading and survival situations.

Vaseline makers suggest a 'best if used by' date of around three years for a new container of Vaseline. However, anecdotal evidence shows people may be using their jars for as long as 5 to 10 years. Given its long shelf-life, you may want to stock up on Vaseline so you have it on hand for its many homesteading and survival uses.

Keep reading to learn about the many survival uses for Vaseline...

32 Survival Uses for Vaseline

Why do you need an emergency radio?

· . Just 60 seconds of hand cranking provides more than 45 minutes of radio

Radios: Having a couple small, portable radios on hand is going to be a must. If there’s a disaster, you’ll need to listen to the radio to get news about what is happening around you….grab a TacRight Emergency Radio:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/185665101473

4Patriots Patriot Power Cell Solar Phone Charger

USE THIS solar gadget to survive an emergency!

In 2022 alone there have been over 70 attacks on the power grid with reports of six in Florida, five in Oregon and Washington.

And according to national security experts, this trend is only going to continue.

As America's power grid comes under increasing attack and/or disruption…

THIS is your lifeline in a crisis.

It's peace of mind that you can...

· Call family and friends in an emergency

· Signal for help from first responders

· Stay connected to critical weather updates

· https://www.bonanza.com/listings/4Patriots-Patriot-Power-Cell-Solar-Phone-Charger/1419398891

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