Severe frosts and prolonged power outages are forcing Ukrainians to seek effective ways to stay warm when there is neither electricity nor heating in their homes. In such conditions, it is especially important to know proven life hacks and alternative sources of heat.
This is reported by Finway
Igor Molodan, a survival and tactical medicine instructor, shared useful tips on preparing your home for the cold.
Effective Methods for Retaining Heat in an Apartment
In apartment buildings where central heating may be lost during a blackout, the key task is to prevent the room from cooling down quickly. It is recommended to tightly close windows and cover them with thick curtains or drapes, creating an additional air barrier between the outside cold and the warmth in the room.
Another important approach is to organize what is known as an energy-saving zone. If heating is absent for an extended period, it is not advisable to try to heat the entire home at once. It is best to gather the whole family in the smallest room. Thanks to the collective warmth of bodies and the use of blankets, the comfort level can be significantly increased even without additional heaters.
We close ourselves in the smallest room. If it’s a family, we warm up together in one place. Collective body heat and blankets are the most effective method when there are no heaters, emphasized Igor Molodan.
Alternative Means for Staying Warm at Night and Basic Survival Gear
Regular blankets sometimes do not provide enough warmth during frosts, so experts recommend paying attention to specialized gear:
- Sleeping bags — retain heat better than blankets due to their airtightness and ability to conserve warmth in low temperatures. Even inexpensive models can be more effective than several layers of regular bedding.
- Electric blankets and heated vests — powered by power banks and are becoming increasingly popular among Ukrainians.
According to data from The Conversation, the optimal indoor temperature should not be lower than 18°C, as colder conditions can negatively affect health.
To ensure basic comfort during a prolonged blackout, it is recommended to have:
- Sleeping bags for all family members;
- A power bank with a capacity of 20,000 to 30,000 mAh;
- Thermal underwear;
- Chemical hand and foot warmers;
- A gas burner with spare canisters (to be used only with safety precautions);
- A thermos with a volume of 1.5–2 liters;
- Instant food products and high-calorie snacks;
- Rechargeable flashlights or headlamps;
- A supply of drinking and technical water;
- Wet wipes and dry shampoo.
Experts emphasize that proper preparation and timely actions during severe frosts will help not only maintain comfort but also protect health during prolonged power outages.