With summer approaching, it’s likely we can also expect some unpredictable weather. So you’ll want to be prepared to make sure you and your family have everything you need in the event that a storm hits. But there are some tips and tricks that can make storm preparedness much easier.
Here Are 15 Genius Storm Preparedness Hacks:
1) Use Your Washing Machine As A Giant Cooler
Your washing machine can be used as a cooler. Just fill your washing machine with a ton of ice and put whatever you need chilled in it. The washing machine is designed to drain water and will do so once the ice melts.
2) Pizza Box Solar Oven
Just because your power went out doesn’t mean that you have to eat cold pizza. You can turn your pizza box into a solar oven. Learn how to make one below.
3) Olive Oil Candles
4) Clay Pot Refrigerator
5) Turn AAA Batteries Into AA Batteries
6) Crayon As An Emergency Candle
If you need a candle in a pinch, crayons will work just fine. Just melt the tip and ignite the paper. It should burn for 15 to 30 minutes.
7) Keep Important Documents in a Binder
It’s important to keep your documents in a safe dry place. Try placing them in plastic slipcovers inside a binder so everything is safe in one place. You can grab that binder and go when you need to. You’ll also want to keep phone numbers in this in case you can’t get them out of your cell phone.
8) Dryer Lint Firestarter Balls
Start collecting your dryer lint. You can make firestarter balls out of them. All you need is some petroleum jelly and lint. Details are available here.
9) Get Drinkable Water
We’re always told to fill our bathtubs with water during a storm. But who wants to drink or cook with tub water? A Water Bob goes in your tub and can be filled with 100 gallons that never touches the inside of your tub. You can buy one for around $45 here.
10) Headlamp Water Jug
Make your headlamp do double duty. You can buy one at the dollar store. If you fasten it to a water jug it can be turned into an ambient light. You can also do this with a flashlight.
11) Keep Items Dry in the Dishwasher
If you’re at risk for flooding, the dishwasher is a place where you can keep things dry. Place photos and important documents or belongings in your dishwasher. It’s sealed so water won’t get it. You can put it in sandwich bags to be double protected but putting it in by itself should be fine.
12) Flower Pot Heater
If it gets cold, you can still keep warm without power, even if you don’t have a fireplace. You’ll just need a clay pot and candles. Learn how to make it in the video below.
13) Freeze Water in Gallon Bags
Fill gallon-sized Ziploc bags and freeze them before the storm. This will help your freezer stay colder longer. You can also melt them and use as drinking water.
14) Sandbag Alternatives
If you don’t have sandbags, there are alternatives. Filling a garbage bag with water will have a similar effect. You can also fill a trash bag with sand or pebbles if you don’t have official sandbags.
15) Elevate Your Furniture
If you expect a flood you can safeguard your furniture. Use paint cans to elevate your furniture off the ground. This will only help with moderate flooding.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
