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The enemy continues to shell the civilian and energy infrastructure of Ukraine. As reported by DTEK, the schedules of fan power outages drawn up earlier are no longer relevant. In the coming days, stricter and longer power outages will be applied in Kyiv, Cherkasy, Zhytomyr and Chernihiv regions.

This is due to the fact that a number of critically important energy facilities were disabled as a result of night shelling on October 27. In particular, as a result of shelling in the Kyiv region, there was a power deficit of 30% of consumption.

Overall, this year's winter is forecast to be the most severe due to likely long-term blackouts and lack of water and heat. Even now, such inconveniences in various regions of the country force us to carefully prepare for the cold weather. We have prepared tips and life hacks for you that will come in handy this winter.

1) Useful things you might need

Things that tourists usually take with them on hikes will come in handy in your home or apartment. These are small and practical devices that you can use both this winter and next summer. Among them are also comfortable shoes, warm clothes, personal hygiene products and equipment that will help prepare food in field conditions.

We advise you to hurry, because in the last two weeks, the demand for power banks, candles and potbelly stove has increased dramatically.

So, Ukrainians began to buy three times more gas cans, gas burners and gas cylinders. In addition, there is currently an increase in demand for generators, lanterns and solar panels. The demand for potbelly stove has also grown significantly. This is the most correct preparation for difficult times!

2) Cooking without electricity and gas

A compact gas burner is a device for every tourist, which will help heat or cook food, boil water, if the power supply goes out in your house.

The cost of a compact gas burner is different - the smallest cost from 300 UAH, and a gas cylinder - from 200 UAH. Such a balloon is enough for a week for 1-2 people. There are more expensive options. For example, domestic cylinders from 2 l to 10 l in volume, which often already come with a burner. They cost from UAH 2,500, but they work much longer.

Of course, there are specifics of cooking dishes in this way. Tourists are advised to give preference to dishes with a small volume and thin walls. In this way, you will save gas.

Attention! Do not expect to cook borscht for 10 people this way. It is best to cook porridge, pasta, and flakes on the burner. To diversify the menu, try ready meals in cans or sublimated meals.

In case you do not have the opportunity to cook, we advise you to stock up on non-perishable food. It can be dried fruits or nuts, chocolate, energy bars, honey, lard, canned goods, etc.

Remember that good nutrition is an additional factor that will prevent you from freezing in winter. So don't forget to eat, even if you can't cook a warm meal.

3) Prepare warm clothes in advance

Fleece has the best heat-saving properties. It is very warm in such clothes, and it does not interfere with free movement. In addition, we advise you to purchase a set of thermal underwear.

Remember the winter dressing rule: several layers are better than one. Combine with clothes that are pleasant to the body - so you will be comfortable and warm.

When choosing thermal underwear, you should pay attention to the content of wool in the product. Merino wool underwear will be the warmest, but also the most expensive. A budget option is a thermal underwear on microfleece. There is also a thermal underwear made of synthetics - it is suitable only for active sports or leisure. It is absolutely not suitable for home insulation.

4) Take care of the insulation of the apartment or house

According to climbers, the most unpleasant thing in the mountains is the wind. In the conditions of an apartment/house, it is a draft. So you need to make sure that there are no cracks in the doors and windows.

5) Take care of personal hygiene

Always keep a supply of water at home in case of a power outage. Taking care of your own hygiene is important under any circumstances. Tourists recommend buying a washcloth-glove - you can wash with it with minimal use of water, or as a last resort, you can use a wet towel.

Hair drying is an important issue for girls. In this case, dry shampoo will be your friend. It will help your hair stay fresh and visually clean for a long time.

6) Prepare a place for sleeping

The key to good health is healthy sleep. However, it is very difficult to sleep in the cold. We have prepared several options to "warm" your bed:

• Sleeper. If a person in a sleeping bag does not freeze while hiking, then the room will also be comfortable;

• Sleeping bag insert made of special fabric or microfleece. When traveling, it is used as bedding, and it will add a few degrees to your bed;

• Tent. The tent will quickly heat up from breathing, so sleeping in it can be warmer than just in bed.

• A heating pad will also help to warm up. If you don't have a special heating pad, you can put hot water in a bottle, if you usually have it.

7) Lighting and charging gadgets

Firstly, you need to purchase a power bank. USB-powered LED lights are easy to charge from a power bank. LED garlands can also be a good option. They will light up your home and lighten the sad atmosphere at least a little.

Camping lanterns can illuminate a large area, because they work on batteries. Their significant advantage is that they can charge other gadgets. There are also flashlights powered by a hand dynamo if you have the ability to install one.

8) How to stay connected?

Today, communication and the Internet are critically important for each of us. We communicate with relatives, follow the news, receive air threat alerts and work. Read about how to extend the operation of devices as much as possible by following the link, and here you can learn about how to stay in touch.

Keep yourselves!