People Are Making Mini Heaters Out Of Flower Pots During Widespread Power Outage
February 19, 2021
sources: Instagram/@joseph_simpson21 / Instagram/@thedarelle
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, it’s safe to assume you know about the widespread power outages occurring in many U.S. states as a result of a polar vortex and plunging winter temperatures. States like Texas are seeing snow, and if that doesn’t allude to a catastrophic environmental problem, I don’t know what does. An estimated three million Americans are currently without power, and with many cities and states ill-equipped to deal with freezing temperatures, people are struggling to stay warm.
A number of inventive people seem to be making mini heaters out of terracotta flower pots in order to stay warm. Placing candles on a terracotta plant tray and flipping the raised pot itself upside-down to act as a sort of lamp, the heat from the flames is apparently creating a small amount of heat to warm up a small area. Using natural candles (aka ones made of beeswax) is recommended. If lighting any candles in your home, be sure that they are on a hard, flat surface and that the flame is far enough away from any flammable items. Never leave a burning candle unattended.
Although this DIY flower pot heater may work for very short periods of time, there are other effective things you can do until the power comes back on. Firstly, dress in as many layers as possible. Regulating your own body temperature is imperative to staying warm. Secondly, choose a small room in your house and stay in that room with the door closed. An upstairs room would be best if possible, since heat rises. You’ll want to do everything possible to maintain heat in that room, including stuffing blankets or towels around the door, hanging blankets in windows, and insulating the floor with blankets, clothes, or towels. Snuggle your family members and pets, if possible!
Remember, no matter what you do, it is imperative that you don’t rely on a gas stove to generate heat in your home. Anything that burns fuel indoors without proper ventilation puts you at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning – the silent killer that is a bigger risk than freezing temperatures. If you absolutely need to get inside your car and run it to warm up, make sure you are not in your garage, and are instead outside in a driveway with the windows closed. Also be sure that your tailpipe isn’t being blocked by snow or ice.
Temperatures will rise and power will be restored, but until then, I am hoping and praying that everyone stays safe and makes it through this. You can check out this article for more helpful tips on how to stay warm and safe during a power outage with cold temperatures outside. Stay safe, everyone.