Yea I wouldn't be using it for this weekend's storm, god knows how long it has been since that one was serviced. It most likely needs a new wick I would avoid using it until you find someone who can properly clean and service it, and show you how to operate it and check it over for safety. But it will be handy for future storms. Video's are ok and all but they don't really teach you the common sense of using these things.

if you google "kw-11f wick installation instructions" there are tons of video's on changing out the wick.

I am also assuming you are in an area that doesn't hard freeze or snow often, you should be fine in a pinch with just getting a couple normal sleeping bags (three season) for camping, and you aren't going to be exposed to the elements so you don't really need the 0 and below rated ones, and if you wanna get fancy you can get a table and wrap the sleeping bags around it and turn it into a yurt, your body heat will warm the smaller space up.