19th Century Tech

It was just a year ago when a freak October snowstorm left us powerless (in so many ways) for eight days.  Now, watching the track of Sandy heading towards the New York area we’re bracing for another round of potential inconveniences.  The gadgets and backup batteries are charged up in anticipation of the darkness.  Here’s how we intend to stay alive, fed, and connected if Sandy leaves us in the dark:

Food – we’ve stocked the refrigerator and the pantry with enough food to keep us all fed for at least four days.  Last time around the storm knocked down so many trees that there was no way for us to drive into town for several days.  We have a small Generac IX 1600 generator that’s adequate to keep the refrigerator going as well as some lights and electronics.  Hundred foot extension cords lay coiled at the ready, along with power strips.  We have a five gallon gas can that’s filled, but we’ve also filled the gas tanks of our cars so that in a pinch we can siphon gas to run the generator.  To cook the food we have a gas stove and an outdoor grill.  When the power goes off, the electric ignition on the burners won’t work, but matches will.
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