Fireplaces are pretty, but they are inefficient. For emergency use, a wood stove is better. Ideally, you need a woodstove, a stockpile of seasoned wood, and a shallow well that will work with a hand pump. Or alternately, a creek with clean water. You can cook on the woodstove, and flush your toilet with water from the well, or creek. Keeping a vegetable garden is not a bad idea, either. Potatoes will keep you going when you have nothing else, as many people have discovered the hard way during hard times.
Fireplaces are pretty, but they are inefficient. For emergency use, a wood stove is better. Ideally, you need a woodstove, a stockpile of seasoned wood, and a shallow well that will work with a hand pump. Or alternately, a creek with clean water. You can cook on the woodstove, and flush your toilet with water from the well, or creek. Keeping a vegetable garden is not a bad idea, either. Potatoes will keep you going when you have nothing else, as many people have discovered the hard way during hard times.
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