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Prepare Your Home for a Sudden Grid-Down Situation
You can stockpile all the rice you like... but do you know how you're going to cook it if you're without power for months on end?Once upon a time, disaster preparedness was a fairly niche pastime. Today, it’s becoming mainstream… and you only have to look at the headlines to see why.
Extreme weather events… global pandemics… growing unrest… All of these factors are in your consciousness all the time. It makes sense to be prepared for the worst… and with celebrities like Ryan Seacrest and Ronda Rousey joining the ranks, more and more people are beginning to understand why.
But despite this growing trend, there’s one thing most people are missing.
You’ve stocked your pantry; you have enough toilet roll to see you through the next few months; you have your bug out bag prepped… But have you thought about what you’re going to do if the grid goes down?
If the power grid fails, it’s not just your lights that go out. It’s your water supply. It’s your heating and cooling system. It’s all your usual ways of cooking food or doing the laundry.
Without the grid, life as we know it changes in an instant.
Are you prepared for that?
Don’t panic. If your emergency preparedness plan has a few holes in it just now, you’re in the right place.
In Prepare Your Home for a Sudden Grid-Down Situation, you’ll
The most likely causes of a grid-down situation -- and how they’ll affect your familyEasy immediate short-term solutions to see you through the first few days of disasterGrid-down cooking options (you’ll be amazed by how many ways there are to feed your family a delicious hot meal without your cooker)A full range of emergency backup solutions you can fall back on if you’re currently totally reliant on the gridWhat to do when cash means nothing -- think outside the box to make sure your family thrivesThe ultimate guide to making sure your family has access to clean, safe water (no matter what’s going on outside)Exactly what you can do to stay healthy and well when the toilet won’t flush, the washing machine’s useless, and a long hot bath is out of the questionEverything you need to know about communicating with the outside world in a grid-down emergencyA clear breakdown of your off-grid power options -- so you can plan now for any unexpected eventEasy DIY projects you can work through right now to sharpen your skills and prepare for the worstAnd much more.
If you thought your stash of canned beans and laundry supplies was enough to see you through an emergency, think again. It’s a great start… but have you thought about how you’re going to cook those beans? Do you know how you’re going to wash your clothes?
Being prepared is about more than stocking up. It’s about thinking outside the box and learning essential survival skills.
But don’t These skills are accessible to anyone… and you’re about to discover them.
Extreme weather events… global pandemics… growing unrest… All of these factors are in your consciousness all the time. It makes sense to be prepared for the worst… and with celebrities like Ryan Seacrest and Ronda Rousey joining the ranks, more and more people are beginning to understand why.
But despite this growing trend, there’s one thing most people are missing.
You’ve stocked your pantry; you have enough toilet roll to see you through the next few months; you have your bug out bag prepped… But have you thought about what you’re going to do if the grid goes down?
If the power grid fails, it’s not just your lights that go out. It’s your water supply. It’s your heating and cooling system. It’s all your usual ways of cooking food or doing the laundry.
Without the grid, life as we know it changes in an instant.
Are you prepared for that?
Don’t panic. If your emergency preparedness plan has a few holes in it just now, you’re in the right place.
In Prepare Your Home for a Sudden Grid-Down Situation, you’ll
The most likely causes of a grid-down situation -- and how they’ll affect your familyEasy immediate short-term solutions to see you through the first few days of disasterGrid-down cooking options (you’ll be amazed by how many ways there are to feed your family a delicious hot meal without your cooker)A full range of emergency backup solutions you can fall back on if you’re currently totally reliant on the gridWhat to do when cash means nothing -- think outside the box to make sure your family thrivesThe ultimate guide to making sure your family has access to clean, safe water (no matter what’s going on outside)Exactly what you can do to stay healthy and well when the toilet won’t flush, the washing machine’s useless, and a long hot bath is out of the questionEverything you need to know about communicating with the outside world in a grid-down emergencyA clear breakdown of your off-grid power options -- so you can plan now for any unexpected eventEasy DIY projects you can work through right now to sharpen your skills and prepare for the worstAnd much more.
If you thought your stash of canned beans and laundry supplies was enough to see you through an emergency, think again. It’s a great start… but have you thought about how you’re going to cook those beans? Do you know how you’re going to wash your clothes?
Being prepared is about more than stocking up. It’s about thinking outside the box and learning essential survival skills.
But don’t These skills are accessible to anyone… and you’re about to discover them.
- GenresNonfictionHow ToSurvival
244 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 23, 2022
491 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
June 1, 2022
The all-important basics of food, shelter, water, medical supplies, cooking, natural medicines and even weapon making are covered here.
It was an easy read, informative, and the author's writing style makes the book coast right along seemlessly from one topic to the next.
Great read, would recommend!
It was an easy read, informative, and the author's writing style makes the book coast right along seemlessly from one topic to the next.
Great read, would recommend!
February 17, 2025
Soooo I now need to have a shed filled to the brim with survival materials which is fine either way with me.
March 31, 2022
"Prepare Your Home for a Sudden Grid-Down Situation" by Ted Riley is an excellent read for novice or more seasoned preppers. Living in America, we are accustomed to a rather easy life, with the Internet, cell phones, electric, etc. We don't realize the fragility of the power grid, and we do not understand that very nearly our whole way of life depends on it. Imagine that there is no water at your sink, no gas stations selling gas, no way to communicate with family and friends, no way to access your money that's in the bank, the hospitals are also without power and will soon be shuttered. What would you do? How would you take care of your family?
In this book, Ted Riley takes on these questions with practical, no-nonsense answers. He covers such diverse topics as temporary or alternative power sources, procurement of food and water, sanitation, medical care, security. and communication, among many others. The answers he provides give you options when it might seem like your world is falling apart. For each topic, he breaks it into immediate/short term solutions and longer term solutions to help you get through a more protracted crisis.
What I really appreciated about the book was the section on communication. We need each other, not just for support and companionship, but to network and help each other in times of crisis. By providing a wide variety of unique options, you can select the means of communication to best fit your situation and budget -- he covers everything from CBs to HAM radio, to short wave radio, walkie talkies, FRS/GMRS radios, and even the GoTenna.
In short, if you've never thought about a grid-down scenario, this book is an excellent place to start. Likewise, if you already have some plans in place, this book is sure to give you more ideas and maybe even make you see things from a different angle. I highly recommended it. Stay safe!
In this book, Ted Riley takes on these questions with practical, no-nonsense answers. He covers such diverse topics as temporary or alternative power sources, procurement of food and water, sanitation, medical care, security. and communication, among many others. The answers he provides give you options when it might seem like your world is falling apart. For each topic, he breaks it into immediate/short term solutions and longer term solutions to help you get through a more protracted crisis.
What I really appreciated about the book was the section on communication. We need each other, not just for support and companionship, but to network and help each other in times of crisis. By providing a wide variety of unique options, you can select the means of communication to best fit your situation and budget -- he covers everything from CBs to HAM radio, to short wave radio, walkie talkies, FRS/GMRS radios, and even the GoTenna.
In short, if you've never thought about a grid-down scenario, this book is an excellent place to start. Likewise, if you already have some plans in place, this book is sure to give you more ideas and maybe even make you see things from a different angle. I highly recommended it. Stay safe!
April 1, 2024
Started this book after a week long power outage locally in Australia. it had a lot of general information but didn’t really go into the nitty gritty. It did give a lot of broad information though, despite that, it’s clear it only tailors USA. It does cover slot of different areas, which was good to know that we are on the right track to being completely off the grid while being on the grid.
January 30, 2024
Absolutely rubbish, it’s mostly suggested ideas, nothing practical except a dozen pages on building a completely inadequate crossbow. It keeps saying in chapter so and so I’ll go into more detail and it doesn’t. Don’t waste your money
February 1, 2024
got this book as a Midwest transplant living in California trying to navigate power outages. this book definitely has some helpful information but is a little more “doomsday” regarding prepping for longtime/ apocalyptic situations versus short term outages!
February 13, 2024
An interesting book to read if you’ve ever experienced a power outage and thought “well, f*ck” about anything unexpected. Also interesting if you occasionally like to don a tin foil hat and prepare for the downfall of society.
June 3, 2024
I’m not big on survivalism or prepping. I’m much more like the old soldier who’s too weary to quit his post and go fleeing into the mountains with the youngsters. If the excrement hits the oscillating blades, just leave me behind, but make sure to leave me some guns and grenades first.
Still, I am interested in the subject of surviving catastrophe—what to do and what pitfalls to avoid—and apparently Ted Riley is interested in the subject, too. “Prepare Your Home for a Grid-Down Situation” is his third book on the subject, after one focusing more on acquiring food and another on hardening the home.
There is some decent info in “Grid Down,” but it consists less of advice of what to do than what to buy, and what brands the author recommends. A lot of it is frankly Pollyannaish, and unrealistic. I’m used to these guys being of the opposite disposition, bleakly realistic about what will need to be done. This guy apparently thinks empty Coke cans will work as a good alarm system, and there is very little here on self-defense.
It's pretty much a fait accompli that, if one is well-prepared, they must also be well-armed. After all, there will be those roving around who didn’t prepare well, but do have weapons. A “grid down” situation probably means prison guards have also quit their posts, which means roving bands of freed prisoners. Then, to paraphrase comedian George Carlin, all our old friends will return to the world, eager to play and show us what they learned.
There is little here on the subject of self-defense, though, and practically nothing on bushcraft or moving out of the home. Granted the book’s title makes it clear the focus is on preparing the home. But prepping the home should include bugout situations, and deciding what to keep and leave in the event it simply isn’t tenable to stay there. Honestly, some of the FMs I read in the Army were much better than this, and a lot of that is available online, for free, now.
Ultimately, the sad fact is that large swaths of the suburbs—especially your Garage Mahals and McMansions—are built of inferior construction. Particleboard and marble composite and drywall can only be hardened so much, especially when the Big Bad Wolf (and his wolfpack) are outside trying to blow your house down. Still, there is some decent info in here, and others may get more out of it than I did. And maybe, when things fall apart (it feels a little late in the day to say “if,”) it won’t all be so postapocalyptic. People, especially those vestiges of the “silent majority” in the ‘burbs, may actually heed those “angels of our better nature” and band together.
I sincerely doubt it, though.
Still, I am interested in the subject of surviving catastrophe—what to do and what pitfalls to avoid—and apparently Ted Riley is interested in the subject, too. “Prepare Your Home for a Grid-Down Situation” is his third book on the subject, after one focusing more on acquiring food and another on hardening the home.
There is some decent info in “Grid Down,” but it consists less of advice of what to do than what to buy, and what brands the author recommends. A lot of it is frankly Pollyannaish, and unrealistic. I’m used to these guys being of the opposite disposition, bleakly realistic about what will need to be done. This guy apparently thinks empty Coke cans will work as a good alarm system, and there is very little here on self-defense.
It's pretty much a fait accompli that, if one is well-prepared, they must also be well-armed. After all, there will be those roving around who didn’t prepare well, but do have weapons. A “grid down” situation probably means prison guards have also quit their posts, which means roving bands of freed prisoners. Then, to paraphrase comedian George Carlin, all our old friends will return to the world, eager to play and show us what they learned.
There is little here on the subject of self-defense, though, and practically nothing on bushcraft or moving out of the home. Granted the book’s title makes it clear the focus is on preparing the home. But prepping the home should include bugout situations, and deciding what to keep and leave in the event it simply isn’t tenable to stay there. Honestly, some of the FMs I read in the Army were much better than this, and a lot of that is available online, for free, now.
Ultimately, the sad fact is that large swaths of the suburbs—especially your Garage Mahals and McMansions—are built of inferior construction. Particleboard and marble composite and drywall can only be hardened so much, especially when the Big Bad Wolf (and his wolfpack) are outside trying to blow your house down. Still, there is some decent info in here, and others may get more out of it than I did. And maybe, when things fall apart (it feels a little late in the day to say “if,”) it won’t all be so postapocalyptic. People, especially those vestiges of the “silent majority” in the ‘burbs, may actually heed those “angels of our better nature” and band together.
I sincerely doubt it, though.
October 6, 2024
Another prepping book from survivalist Ted Riley with too many generalizations, except when he explains how to make a crossbow. Not. Even. Kidding.
Oh, he also suggests keeping livestock in this book. Yeah, like that's going to happen.
Ugh, my husband bought all four of Ted Riley's books, both the hardbacks and the audiobooks. Since the audiobooks whiz by at 1.5x speed, I'll finish these. But I can't imagine that the other two are any better quality.
Based on the book's description, I thought this book would focus more on grid down scenarios from natural disasters, but Riley's dedicated to the SHTF prep.
I live in the suburbs, so I'm in the camp of preppers thinking about Tuesday not Doomsday. We moved to Prince Edward Island where Hurricane Fiona wrecked homes and many people were without power for weeks.
That's what I'm prepping for. If I'm ever in an apocalyptic world where I need a crossbow or livestock, I'll have to hope that my skill sets are considered valuable in a community of like-minded survivors. Because no one wants to see me wielding a cross bow.
Oh, he also suggests keeping livestock in this book. Yeah, like that's going to happen.
Ugh, my husband bought all four of Ted Riley's books, both the hardbacks and the audiobooks. Since the audiobooks whiz by at 1.5x speed, I'll finish these. But I can't imagine that the other two are any better quality.
Based on the book's description, I thought this book would focus more on grid down scenarios from natural disasters, but Riley's dedicated to the SHTF prep.
I live in the suburbs, so I'm in the camp of preppers thinking about Tuesday not Doomsday. We moved to Prince Edward Island where Hurricane Fiona wrecked homes and many people were without power for weeks.
That's what I'm prepping for. If I'm ever in an apocalyptic world where I need a crossbow or livestock, I'll have to hope that my skill sets are considered valuable in a community of like-minded survivors. Because no one wants to see me wielding a cross bow.
March 28, 2022
'Prepping' is usually seen as a bit 'fringe', if not downright weird. What often springs to mind, at least in the UK, is armed to the teeth Americans preparing for Armageddon... Yet there's no doubt many of us feel that we're living in worrying times what with the pandemic and Putin's war-mongering. So why not take steps to prepare ourselves for some of the situations that could happen - from the supermarkets running out of toilet rolls to the electricity going down for a few days (no-one wants to think about a nuclear event, but yes that too). This book, along with When Crisis Hits Suburbia by the same author, is reassuringly practical, down to earth and not at all for weirdos. Even putting a few simple measures in place has made feel less helpless and more in control. I highly recommend it.
April 21, 2022
Another fantastic book from this author! Every prepper - and every household - should have a copy on their bookshelf. There’s so much information in here. Even if you consider yourself a prepper and you spend time thinking about a grid-down situation, this book will make you think! There’s a lot I had considered until I read this book. And as always with this author, the back of the book is full of references! All of his books are launching off points for even more reading and more research. Check it out! You won’t be sorry. You’ll learn about power outage tips, off-grid power, and long term solutions for heating and cooling, lighting, water filtration and storage, food and cooking, medical care, sanitation and hygiene, laundry and dishwashing, communication, and security. Plus so much more. Do yourself a favor and say yes to this book.
August 16, 2025
I don't consider myself a survivalist, or a prepper, but while investigating the concept of keeping a suburban home running during a prolonged energy outage, I came across this book.
The book is written for a US perspective, but I found it easy to translate it to a UK viewpoint.
The author shares a huge amount of practical advice and ideas on how to prepare your household for grid down situations such as prolonged loss of electricity and communication blackouts, offering techniques on how to stay secure, warm, healthy, clean and fed.
Everything the author suggests is real-world and down to earth. There's no apocalypse fear mongering here - just a sensible guide to preparing yourself if the systems we rely on go offline for any period of time.
The book is written for a US perspective, but I found it easy to translate it to a UK viewpoint.
The author shares a huge amount of practical advice and ideas on how to prepare your household for grid down situations such as prolonged loss of electricity and communication blackouts, offering techniques on how to stay secure, warm, healthy, clean and fed.
Everything the author suggests is real-world and down to earth. There's no apocalypse fear mongering here - just a sensible guide to preparing yourself if the systems we rely on go offline for any period of time.
January 17, 2025
This book is kind of all over the place. It's part discussion on living without the power grid, part prepping for societal collapse, and part supply list with a brief blurb of explanation. With as many times as Riley said, "I talked about this more in depth in 'When Crisis Hits Surbubia'," I found myself wishing I had purchased that book instead.
At best, this is a spring board idea generator for things you should learn more about and items you should purchase to shore up your prepping. Oh, and there's plenty of ads and requests for book reviews scattered throughout the text.
At best, this is a spring board idea generator for things you should learn more about and items you should purchase to shore up your prepping. Oh, and there's plenty of ads and requests for book reviews scattered throughout the text.
June 15, 2022
This book is very well written. I'd recommend it to anyone wa wanting to put together a collection for their home and family safety. In these times you never know what could happen and as I was taught as a child and continued on into my adult life and even to this day follow the fact it is always better to be prepared. This book will help you begin to think with a different mindset and even ask questions of yourself and your family's preparedness.
July 5, 2022
This was an easy read and riveting book that helps to remove the stress of not feeling prepared for any global or national level situation. Inexpensive preparedness is almost unheard of but the author did an amazing job in researching the best possible and low cost process on preparing for any serious power outage or even just overall preparedness for the unknown. This book will help to put your mind at ease. Enjoy!
June 27, 2023
I am a realist. I grew up in an area where hurricanes were a reality. When I was 10 years old, my family was without power for five days. We cooked on a grill, we used pool water to flush our toilets, an we used flashlights to play board games. I feel that information provided in this book is smart, it is essential for anyone that lives in an extreme weather environment. I pray that our grid never goes down, but it is smart to have a plan.
April 12, 2022
This book is packed with practical information on everything from supply needs like water, food, and light and cook sources. And way to store them all.
I love that the author includes specific products and references.
This book would also be great for those that deal with severe weather, just as relevant for short-term grid failure as well as long-term.
I love that the author includes specific products and references.
This book would also be great for those that deal with severe weather, just as relevant for short-term grid failure as well as long-term.
Read
August 4, 2022This book was a great read. There was a lot of useful information! One of my favorite parts was his diy projects! You never know when this information will not only come in handy but be a necessity. I highly recommend diving into this helpful wealth of knowledge. Now I can’t wait to read some of his other books!
January 21, 2025
good general guidance on all the topics
Once again, even after numerous other books, I learned several new things. The pace and practical approach left me feeling like I was a responsible father, rather than an eccentric prepper.
An easy read that is big on thoughtful considerations and light on using checklists for content.
Once again, even after numerous other books, I learned several new things. The pace and practical approach left me feeling like I was a responsible father, rather than an eccentric prepper.
An easy read that is big on thoughtful considerations and light on using checklists for content.
May 27, 2025
Very informative, straight to the point, organized, and has lots of SPECIFIC examples on items and processes. Lots of survival material is just full of ideas, but lacking concrete "how to" information. This is one of the first survival books I've read that finally covered specific how to's for LAUNDRY which other books rarely covered. Well written, definitely would recommend to others.
July 6, 2025
Helpful info
Although much of this is common sense for preppers, it's good info for those starting out or thinking of what they would do in the event of a long term outage. With our aging infrastructure it's prudent to be prepared. In most cases that preparedness doesn't take much more resources than a fully stocked pantry
Although much of this is common sense for preppers, it's good info for those starting out or thinking of what they would do in the event of a long term outage. With our aging infrastructure it's prudent to be prepared. In most cases that preparedness doesn't take much more resources than a fully stocked pantry
June 23, 2022
Thorough without being boring. Touches strongly enough on the important aspects of grid down to give you the tools, thinking and planning to get through safely. A serious must read for anyone wishing to be ahead of the curve in a grid down situation.
June 28, 2022
I really enjoyed reading this book for all the information about growing the plants, to what parts are used, and then awesome recipes. I'm even trying some of them out today. Check it out for yourselves to see what it would help you with if our grid does shut down.
October 30, 2022
Useful information
There is a wealth of useful information in this book with no alarmist rhetoric. One thing I liked is that it had actionable ideas that I could put into use right away.
There is a wealth of useful information in this book with no alarmist rhetoric. One thing I liked is that it had actionable ideas that I could put into use right away.
January 19, 2024
I enjoyed this, there was lots of valuable information in it that I saved in my highlights and will action. Some of it was very much for the American reader but it was an easy read and pitched at my level.
May 2, 2024
Good Common Sense Approach
Author writes in general terms on specific subjects and provides good guidelines. I enjoy this memory jogger style as it it provides me with a baseline to create my own checklists. Really enjoyed the read..
Author writes in general terms on specific subjects and provides good guidelines. I enjoy this memory jogger style as it it provides me with a baseline to create my own checklists. Really enjoyed the read..
November 17, 2024
Thorough Read
Very detailed, with recipes, how-to, lists and more. Most thorough grid-down book I’ve read on kindle unlimited yet. Definitely add to your list of preparedness books.
Very detailed, with recipes, how-to, lists and more. Most thorough grid-down book I’ve read on kindle unlimited yet. Definitely add to your list of preparedness books.
April 1, 2022
A very thorough book I stumbled across on Kindle and decided to take a look at it. I wasn't expecting much, but I was surprised by how thorough and all-encompassing it was. Worth a read.
April 24, 2022
Informative. But very little the average person with common sense wouldn’t know.
June 23, 2022
I enjoyed the schematics for making the crossbow.
The instructions on cooking methods is excellent.
I like this much better than a lot of prepper.
A great book😊
The instructions on cooking methods is excellent.
I like this much better than a lot of prepper.
A great book😊
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews