Academic

DISASTER PREP: READER OWEN ROBERS WRITES: As I sit here in Austin, Texas, experiencing the joy o?

By Glenn Reynolds

DISASTER PREP: READER OWEN ROBERS WRITES:

As I sit here in Austin, Texas, experiencing the joy of rolling electrical blackouts while the temperature is in the teens, I?m wondering if you or your readers have recommended any emergency heaters in the past. Is kerosene better than propane? What really works?

Aside from my gas fireplaces, which start without power, I have one of these indoor-safe propane heaters, though I’ve never had to use it. I recommend that anyone who has any sort of combustion-based indoor heat have a battery-powered carbon monoxide detector, too. Any other suggestions? I note that it’s better to think of these things before a blizzard strikes, but . . .

Earlier posts here and here. And here’s a blackout survival guide from Popular Mechanics, along with some guidelines on home generator safety. Be careful with generators — the carbon monoxide threat is greater than is generally appreciated.

UPDATE: From M.D. Creekmore, advice on surviving blackouts.

Full post as published by Instapundit.com on February 02, 2011 (boomark / email).