Blizzards and ice storms often cause power lines to come crashing down, leaving neighborhoods without electricity for days. That’s why preparing in advance is crucial to keep yourself and your family safe and warm during power outages. In this guide, we provide tips on how to stay warm without power in winter.
- In-Advance Preparation
- How to Keep Your Home Warm Without Power
- How to Use Power Generators Safely
- How to Use Emergency Heater
- What Are Alternative Heat Sources
- Water Access & Storage
- Smart Food Supplies
How to Prepare for the Winter Power Outage
Stock Up in Advance
Having essential supplies ready ensures your family can stay safe and comfortable even when the power and infrastructure fail. Be sure to gather:
- Bottled Water: Keep at least a 3-day supply (1 gallon per person per day).
- Portable Power Stations: Invest in a power bank, power station, or a similar device to keep your devices powered during a power outage. Charge these devices regularly, especially when winter storms are in the forecast.
- UPS for Internet Routers: An uninterruptible power supply will keep your internet running temporarily during a blackout to access news and updates.
- Emergency Heat Source: Get a propane heater to heat a room without electricity. Don’t use outside-intended heat sources indoors. If you have a portable power station, consider an electric heater.
- Thermal Blankets & Clothing: Insulated clothing and blankets will help keep you warm when the heat is out.
- Shelf-Stable Food: Stock up on non-perishable items like canned goods, protein bars, and dried fruits.
- Flashlights & Extra Batteries: Avoid using candles as they can be a fire hazard.
- First Aid Kit for minor injuries or illnesses.
Plan Ahead for Medical Equipment Needs
If you or a family member depend on electricity for medical devices, special preparation is essential:
- Charge Up or Store Extra Batteries for devices like wheelchairs or hearing aids.
- Invest in Backup Power: Purchase a generator or UPS to keep critical devices running.
- Coordinate with Providers:
- Work with your home care or medical gas provider to ensure you have extra supplies, such as oxygen cylinders, before the outage.
- Develop a personal preparedness plan for managing medical devices during outages.
- Register with Local Utilities: Notify your utility provider if you rely on life support equipment. This registration often prioritizes your household for power restoration.
- Know When to Call for Help: If you lose access to essential medical equipment and are facing an emergency, call 911 immediately or visit an emergency department.
Prepare Your Home Before the Power Outage
Act quickly when you receive a warning of a potential power outage:
- Set the Temperature Higher: Turn your thermostat up. A warmer house takes longer to cool down when the power goes out.
- Test Your Generator: Ensure it’s working correctly, and keep it in a well-ventilated area or outside to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Fill Bathtubs and Sinks with Water: This water can be used for flushing toilets and other non-drinking purposes.
- Charge Essential Devices: Fully charge your phones, tablets, and laptops. During the outage, turn devices off when not in use and use battery-saving modes to extend their life.
Stay Safe Around Downed Power Lines
During winter storms, downed power lines can pose significant hazards:
- Avoid All Downed Lines: Assume they are live and stay far away.
- Report to Authorities: Call your local utility company to report outages or downed lines.
- Keep Others Safe: Warn neighbors to steer clear of potentially dangerous areas.
How to Stay Warm Without Electricity
Layer Up for Heat Retention
The key to staying warm is to dress in multiple layers. Proper layering helps trap body heat, creating insulation against the cold.
- Start with a Base Layer: Wear snug, lightweight thermal shirts or leggings as your first layer to retain body heat.
- Add a Mid-Layer: A slightly loose sweater, fleece jacket, or sweatshirt acts as an insulating layer.
- Finish with an Outer Layer: Put on a thick jacket or coat to lock in the warmth.
- Don’t Forget Thermal Accessories:Â
- Wear mittens over gloves for better insulation.Â
- Layer socks and slip on sturdy shoes or slippers.Â
- Use a hat, beanie, or headband to keep your head warm and retain heat.
- Consider extras like Hot Hands instant hand warmers and thermal underwear.
Stick to One Room
Consolidate all activities into a single, smaller room to concentrate heat and minimize heat loss. To choose the warmest room, use an indoor portable thermometer. Monitor temperature variations in your home and identify the warmest and most stable spot to gather, ideally away from external walls.
Insulate Your Space
- Use Blackout Curtains: Curtains trap heat by creating an extra barrier between the cold glass and the room. Keep your curtains closed to reduce heat loss, except for south-facing windows that can bring in a little heat during sunny weather.
- Seal Doors and Windows: Seal draft areas with dense materials. Hang blankets over windows and use draft stoppers, pool noodles wrapped in towels, or rolled-up towels to block cold air at the bottom of doors or windows. Use thick tape to seal any leaks.
- Close Interior Doors: Keep all unused rooms shut to retain warmth in your chosen area.
Use Blankets
Wool blankets provide excellent insulation. Pile blankets on top of each other for added warmth. Still, don’t forget to wear a hat or beanie to keep your head covered, as most body heat escapes from the head.Â
Use Sleeping Bags at Night
While blankets work well during the day, sleeping bags are ideal for staying warm during the night because they are purposefully designed to trap body heat and keep it circulating, making them more effective for sleeping in cold weather.Â
Consider getting well-insulated, high-quality cold-weather sleeping bags that provide warmth in freezing temperatures. If you have thin sleeping bags, layer them with blankets for extra insulation.
Set Up a Tent IndoorsÂ
If you have a tent and enough free space, this trick can make a huge difference because tents are excellent at capturing body heat, creating a smaller, warmer space within your home. Set it up in your living room or any small, centralized area you use during the outage.
Use Your Power Generator (Responsibly)
Some homes are equipped with standby generators that run on natural gas or propane and turn on automatically using the transfer switch when the electricity goes out. If you own a portable gas-powered generator, follow these critical steps to stay safe:
- Read the Manual: Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for setup and operation.Â
- Run Generators Outdoors Only: Gasoline-powered generators emit carbon monoxide, an invisible and odorless gas that can be deadly. Never use a generator indoors or inside a garage.Â
- Avoid Backfeeding: Plug appliances directly into the generator using an extension cord. Make sure the appliances aren’t hard-wired to your home’s electrical panel, as this prevents power from feeding back into the panel. NEVER plug the generator into your home’s outlets or electrical panel. This is very dangerous, can damage your system, and may cause a fire.
Use Your Emergency Heater
- Mini Propane Heaters: These are ideal for focused heating without electricity in small areas like a bedroom or living room. Make sure your emergency heater is indoor-safe and comes with built-in features such as automatic shut-off mechanisms (in case it tips over or detects low oxygen levels), like the Little Buddy heater. For additional safety, crack open a window for ventilation when using one.
- Portable Electric Heaters: If you have access to a generator, a portable electric heater can be a good option. Follow the manufacturer’s safety advice, such as avoiding use near water or flammable materials.
Use Alternative Heat Sources to Stay Warm Without Electricity
- Candle and Clay Pot Heaters (DIY): For those who enjoy DIY solutions, you can craft small heaters using clay pots and large candles. However, these can be used only under supervision and be kept far from children or pets to reduce fire risk.
- Fireplaces:
- Wood-burning fireplaces: Use intermittently to conserve wood. Remember to keep all flammable items at least 3 feet away.Â
- Gas fireplaces: If equipped with a battery backup ignition, these work even during power outages.
- Always ensure your chimney is clean and well-maintained to prevent fire hazards.
- Hot Water Bottles: Fill a hot water bottle and place it under your blankets or hold it for comfort.Â
- Bags of Rice or Beans: Heat bags of rice or beans (wrapped in a cloth) near your fireplace or heater. Be cautious not to overheat them.
NEVER Use These Alternative Heating Methods:
- Do NOT run your car indoors or in a closed garage.
- Do NOT use charcoal or barbecue grills indoors.
- Do NOT run a gas stove or oven to heat your home.
Gasoline-powered generators, charcoal or gas grills, and propane heaters release carbon monoxide, an invisible and odorless gas that can be deadly. Only operate them outdoors in a well-ventilated area. Â
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Symptoms
Carbon monoxide poisoning can appear suddenly. Watch for these symptoms:
- HeadacheÂ
- DizzinessÂ
- Nausea or vomitingÂ
- ConfusionÂ
- Shortness of breath
If you suspect CO poisoning, leave the house immediately and contact emergency services.
Water Access & Storage
- Collecting Melted Snow: When your water supply is limited or cut off, snow can be a lifesaver. Collect clean snow, place it in a clean container, and melt it indoors. Important: Always boil melted snow before using it for drinking or cooking to ensure it’s safe and free from harmful bacteria.Â
- Stock Up on Bottled Water: Store an emergency supply of bottled water or fill sealed containers with clean water in advance. If available, humanitarian ration water packets or long-term storage-ready containers are preferred, as they are specifically designed for emergencies. Aim to have at least 1 gallon of water per person per day for at least 3 days.Â
- Know Your Shutoff Valve: Prevent potential flooding from frozen pipes by identifying your home’s water shutoff valve ahead of time. Make sure you have a wrench or the specific tool needed to operate it so you can act quickly if a situation arises. Mark the valve location clearly and share the information with other household members.
Smart Food SuppliesÂ
- Shelf-Stable Snacks: Keep a stockpile of non-perishable foods that are easy to eat and require little to no preparation. Some excellent options that can provide sustenance and energy with minimal effort during a power outage:Â
- Protein bars or energy barsÂ
- Peanut butter and crackersÂ
- Canned soups or chili (with a manual can opener)Â
- Bread or flatbreadsÂ
- Outdoor Cold Storage: Use the cold weather to your advantage if outdoor temperatures allow. Use a cooler on your porch, balcony, or in your yard as a makeshift refrigerator or freezer. The winter cold can help keep your perishable food fresh for longer, reducing waste and food spoilage.Â
Emergency Cooking Gear: You can also use a folding camping stove that uses sterno cans or other safe, portable fuels, or MagicCook cups or bags, which are chemical-based heaters that boil water without a flame. These options allow you to warm meals, boil water, or even prepare hot drinks during a power outage.
Portable gas-powered heaters designed specifically for indoor use are good options for power outages. Look for models with safety features such as oxygen depletion sensors and automatic shutoff. Always ensure proper ventilation when using fuel-powered heaters indoors.
You can use a generator to power electric heaters or other essential appliances during a power outage. Always operate generators outdoors in a well-ventilated area, at least 20 feet away from windows and doors, to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Follow all manufacturer instructions. It might be a good idea to have a carbon monoxide detector inside your home. Ensure the generator is appropriate for the wattage of the items you intend to run.
To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:
- Never use gas stoves, ovens, barbecue grills, or car engines to generate heat indoors.
- Use only heaters and warming devices explicitly approved for indoor use.
- Invest in a carbon monoxide detector with battery backup and place it in living areas to monitor CO levels.
First of all, wear multiple layers of warm clothing, including socks, gloves, and hats. Use hot water bottles or heat packs near your body or under blankets. You can also use a sleeping bag or even set up a tent indoors. You can make a DIY heater using candles and a clay pot but you should never leave it without supervision.
To retain heat:
- Seal gaps under doors and window sills using towels, blankets, or draft stoppers.
- Hang heavy curtains or blankets over windows to reduce heat loss.
- Place rugs or carpets on hard floors to prevent cold air from seeping upwards.
