Tag: diy electricity

New York Power Outages and How to Stay Safe With No Electricity During SHTF

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn New York, New York SurvivalistsLeave a comment

When the lights go out, everything changes. If you’ve ever been caught in a power outage—especially a long one—you know how quickly our modern comforts can disappear. For those of us living in New York State, where population density, weather extremes, and infrastructure vulnerabilities converge, losing power isn’t just inconvenient; it can be downright dangerous. Whether you’re in the heart of Manhattan or in a small upstate town, being prepared means more than having a flashlight and a few cans of soup.

Let’s talk about how to stay safe, smart, and sane when the grid goes down, especially during a situation where everything hits the fan (SHTF). From hard-earned survival skills to practical DIY electricity hacks, this guide is here to empower you with both knowledge and confidence.

5 Survival Skills for Living Without Electricity

Living without power can feel like stepping back a century. But people lived that way for thousands of years, and so can we—with the right mindset and skills. Here are five critical abilities every New Yorker should learn before the lights go out.

1. Fire Craft and Off-Grid Cooking

Cooking is one of the first hurdles you’ll face in a blackout, especially if your stove or microwave relies on electricity. Being able to start a fire safely is a foundational survival skill. Learn how to make a Dakota fire hole—an efficient, smokeless fire pit—and how to cook over an open flame using cast iron. If you have a propane grill, keep extra tanks stored safely. Bonus points if you know how to cook with a solar oven, which works wonders in summer.

2. Water Procurement and Purification

In a prolonged power outage, municipal water systems can fail, especially if the pumps rely on electricity. You’ll need to locate alternate sources of water (like rainwater or streams) and purify them. Learn how to make a gravity-fed water filtration system using activated charcoal, sand, and gravel. Always keep a stash of water purification tablets, and know how to boil water over an open fire if needed.

3. Food Preservation Without Refrigeration

Food spoilage is one of the biggest threats when the fridge dies. Learn traditional methods of preservation like canning, pickling, smoking, fermenting, and dehydration. For example, salt-cured meats can last weeks unrefrigerated, and fermented vegetables can supply essential nutrients long after the fresh stuff is gone.

4. Manual Sanitation and Waste Management

Let’s be honest—when the toilet won’t flush and the water stops running, things get… uncomfortable. In urban areas especially, this can quickly become a health hazard. Learn how to create a sawdust toilet (composting toilet alternative), manage gray water safely, and maintain personal hygiene with minimal water. Keep a well-stocked sanitation bucket system with heavy-duty trash bags, baking soda, and bleach.

5. Situational Awareness and Community Communication

When the grid goes down, you lose not only power but also connection—no internet, no news, and possibly no phone signal. Train yourself to rely on local radio, ideally a hand-crank emergency radio. Form neighborhood alliances and have a community plan. Understand the signs of civil unrest or worsening conditions and how to respond calmly and smartly.

3 DIY Electricity Hacks When the Grid Goes Down

You don’t have to be an electrical engineer to generate a bit of power during a blackout. Here are three practical, do-it-yourself hacks that can bring light, charge your devices, or even run small appliances in a pinch.

1. DIY Solar Charger with USB Output

With a small solar panel kit (available online or at hardware stores), you can build a basic solar charging system for phones, radios, or flashlights. You’ll need:

  • A 10-20W solar panel
  • A solar charge controller
  • A 12V battery (like a deep-cycle marine battery)
  • A USB car adapter

Connect the panel to the charge controller, then to the battery, and plug in your USB adapter. This can keep your essential devices running for days.

2. Bicycle Generator for Small Power Needs

If you’re handy, convert an old bike into a pedal-powered generator. You’ll need a bike stand, a belt or chain drive, and a small alternator or motor. This setup can generate enough electricity to charge a battery pack or power a few LED lights. It’s also great exercise and a morale booster during dark times.

3. Saltwater Battery Lamp

When resources are scarce, even salt and water can make a difference. Using magnesium and copper plates (or coins), you can make a rudimentary battery with saltwater. Connect enough of these cells in series, and you can power an LED. It won’t light up your whole house, but in an emergency, every little bit of light helps.

3 Most Important Survival Products Without Electricity

While survival is mostly about mindset and skill, having the right gear can make a night-and-day difference. If I had to choose just three must-haves for a no-electricity scenario, these would be it:

1. Multi-Fuel Camp Stove (e.g., MSR WhisperLite)
Reliable, versatile, and portable, these stoves can burn white gas, kerosene, or even unleaded gasoline. It’s your best bet for cooking or boiling water safely when the power is out and fire pits aren’t an option.

2. Solar Generator (like Jackery or Bluetti)
A solar generator is a quiet, clean way to power essentials like a CPAP machine, lights, or small appliances. Look for one with at least 500Wh capacity and a foldable solar panel. It may be an investment—but in a long-term blackout, it can be a lifeline.

3. Headlamp with Rechargeable Battery
Hands-free lighting is more useful than a flashlight, and using a rechargeable model with a solar bank or hand crank makes it even better. Always have backup lights and extra power sources available.

5 Worst Cities in New York to Be in During a Power Outage

Not all places in New York are created equal when the grid goes dark. The following cities pose unique challenges due to their infrastructure, population density, crime potential, and lack of immediate resources.

1. New York City
No surprise here. The Big Apple is deeply reliant on electricity for everything—transportation, water pumps, elevators, and communication systems. A prolonged outage could result in gridlock, water shortages, looting, and a breakdown in services. If you’re in NYC, you must have a robust bug-in or bug-out plan.

2. Buffalo
Heavy snowfall in winter combined with aging electrical infrastructure makes Buffalo a risky place for long-term outages. Frozen pipes, inaccessible roads, and limited local resources can make it extremely challenging to stay warm and safe.

3. Albany
The capital city is a central hub, but its aging grid and colder winters make power outages especially tough. Hospitals and government systems may get backup generators—but residential areas might not. Additionally, it’s prone to flooding, adding another layer of risk.

4. Rochester
Another cold-weather city with a high dependency on the grid. Its older buildings and infrastructure are not well-equipped for extended blackouts, especially during storm season. Food spoilage and heating become urgent concerns here.

5. Yonkers
Close to NYC but with fewer resources, Yonkers faces the double threat of population density and limited emergency services. If an outage leads to cascading failures in sanitation, water, or policing, residents could be left fending for themselves.

Staying Safe, Staying Smart

Preparedness isn’t about fear—it’s about confidence. When you have the skills, tools, and mindset to meet challenges head-on, you’re not just surviving. You’re thriving under pressure.

If you live in New York or any other urban or semi-urban area, take the time now—while the lights are still on—to build your resilience. Practice your fire-starting skills in a controlled setting. Stock up on clean water, batteries, canned goods, and medical supplies. Make sure your family knows the plan.

Don’t wait for FEMA or the city to come knocking. When the grid goes down, you’ll be glad you took the time to prepare.

Stay safe, stay aware, and above all, stay kind. In the darkest times, a little light from a helping hand can go a long way.

North Carolina Power Outages and How to Stay Safe With No Electricity During SHTF

On By The.Daily.ChristianIn North Carolina, North Carolina Power OutagesLeave a comment

When the lights go out and the hum of modern life suddenly fades to silence, we’re reminded just how dependent we’ve become on electricity. In North Carolina, where hurricanes, ice storms, and aging infrastructure frequently test our resilience, it’s not just about comfort—it’s about survival. I’ve lived through more than one of these dark spells, and let me tell you: being prepared is not just smart, it’s essential.

As a longtime survival prepper with a deep love for community, nature, and self-reliance, I want to share some of the most important skills, tools, and insights you’ll need when the grid goes down. Whether it’s a temporary blackout or a long-term SHTF (Stuff Hits the Fan) scenario, here’s how you can not only survive—but thrive—without electricity in North Carolina.

5 Essential Survival Skills When There’s No Electricity

1. Fire Building and Management

Without electricity, fire becomes your best friend. It provides heat, light, the ability to cook, and even a psychological boost when the world seems uncertain. Learn at least three ways to start a fire—matches, lighters, and friction methods like a bow drill or ferro rod. Practice building different types of fires (teepee, log cabin, Dakota fire hole) and keep a waterproof fire-starting kit ready.

2. Water Purification and Collection

Tap water may stop flowing, or become unsafe if treatment plants go offline. Learn to collect rainwater (it’s legal in North Carolina!) using barrels or even tarps. Have multiple purification methods: boiling, bleach drops, and portable filters like LifeStraw or Sawyer Mini. Water is life, and without it, you’re in trouble fast.

3. Off-Grid Cooking

Microwaves and electric stoves won’t do you any good. Master the art of off-grid cooking. A rocket stove, propane camp stove, solar oven, or even Dutch oven over a fire will keep your meals warm and morale high. Practice with dry goods and canned food so you’re comfortable when the pressure is on.

4. Food Preservation Without Refrigeration

If the power’s out for days or weeks, that freezer full of meat is a ticking time bomb. Learn traditional preservation techniques like canning, pickling, salting, smoking, and fermenting. A simple DIY root cellar can keep root vegetables and hardy produce fresh for months without a watt of power.

5. Situational Awareness and Security

Blackouts create opportunity—for both goodwill and criminal mischief. Understand the basics of home defense, fortifying entry points, and keeping a low profile. If you’re in a densely populated area, maintain situational awareness. Communicate with neighbors you trust and develop a mutual aid plan before disaster strikes.

3 DIY Electricity Hacks During a Blackout

Even if the grid is down, a little ingenuity can go a long way. Here are three off-grid hacks that could give you just enough electricity to power critical items.

1. DIY Solar USB Charger

With just a small solar panel (5V, available at most hardware stores), a USB converter, and a battery pack, you can create a basic solar USB charging station. It won’t run your fridge, but it will keep phones, flashlights, or radios alive—critical during emergencies for communication and news.

2. Hand-Crank Generator

Hand-crank generators or bike-powered dynamos are effective ways to manually generate power. You can DIY a setup using an old bicycle and a small generator motor to charge 12V batteries. It’s not easy work, but it’s sustainable and can power LED lights, radios, or charge small devices in a pinch.

3. Car Battery Inverter System

Your vehicle is essentially a giant power source. With a DC-to-AC power inverter (300W or more), you can use your car battery to run essential electronics like lights, a fan, or a small heater. Just be sure to run the engine occasionally to recharge the battery, and keep fuel conserved.

Top 3 Survival Products You’ll Need Without Electricity

If you can only get a few items to prepare for a blackout, prioritize these. They make a world of difference when you’re plunged into the dark.

1. LED Lantern with Rechargeable Batteries

Forget candles—LED lanterns are brighter, safer, and often come with solar-rechargeable options. The best ones can run for days on a single charge and light up an entire room. Add rechargeable batteries and a solar charger for a long-term solution.

2. Solar Generator (Portable Power Station)

A reliable solar generator is one of the best long-term investments you can make. Brands like Jackery or EcoFlow provide enough juice to run essential electronics, lights, fans, or a CPAP machine. Pair with foldable solar panels for a compact and portable energy system.

3. Emergency Radio with Crank and Solar Options

Communication is critical during blackouts. A hand-crank or solar NOAA emergency radio gives you access to weather updates, local alerts, and even AM/FM stations. Some models include built-in flashlights and USB charging ports for versatility.

The 5 Worst Cities in North Carolina to Be During a Blackout

While every part of the state has its own challenges, some places are more vulnerable than others due to population density, infrastructure weaknesses, or environmental exposure. Here are five cities where being without power could be particularly dangerous:

1. Charlotte, NC

As the largest city in North Carolina, Charlotte’s urban density and reliance on technology make it a rough place during blackouts. The high-rise buildings, heavy traffic, and limited self-reliance of many residents can create tension and overwhelm resources quickly.

2. Raleigh, NC

As the state capital, Raleigh hosts many state operations and relies heavily on digital infrastructure. A power outage here could affect not only residents but also disrupt emergency services and governmental coordination. Plus, the influx of new residents has outpaced preparedness in many neighborhoods.

3. Wilmington, NC

Wilmington is beautiful but vulnerable. Coastal storms—especially hurricanes—routinely knock out power here. Downed lines and flooded roads make it hard for utility crews to restore service. Combine that with evacuation traffic and supply chain breakdowns, and you’ve got a high-risk zone.

4. Durham, NC

Durham has an interesting mix of urban and rural areas, but its older electrical infrastructure and growing tech sector make it particularly exposed to grid issues. A long-term blackout would severely impact local businesses and cause strain on emergency resources.

5. Greensboro, NC

While not as big as Charlotte or Raleigh, Greensboro faces its own issues. It’s a logistics hub, and during a blackout, you could see fuel shortages, looting, or overwhelmed hospitals. Its mixed socioeconomic demographics mean some areas may recover slower than others.

Final Thoughts: Stay Prepared, Stay Kind

Living without electricity isn’t just about having flashlights and canned beans. It’s about building a mindset of self-reliance, creativity, and compassion. When the grid goes down—especially during SHTF—those who know how to stay calm, take action, and help others are the ones who thrive.

Start by mastering a few core survival skills. Create a power outage kit with the essentials. Learn some basic off-grid electricity hacks. And most of all, build a community of like-minded people who care for each other. Preparedness isn’t paranoia—it’s love in action.

The truth is, the future is unpredictable. But with a bit of planning and a whole lot of heart, you and your family can weather even the darkest storms. North Carolina is a beautiful state, and with a little foresight, it can also be a resilient one.

Stay safe out there, and remember: the best power source is the one between your ears.