Staying warm safely when the power goes out in winter

Hold onto the heat you already have

A house loses heat slowly at first. The goal is to slow it down further and keep people in the warmest space. The CDC and the National Weather Service suggest:

• Close off rooms you are not using. Pick one room for the household to gather in. A room with fewer outside walls and windows usually stays warmer.
• Block drafts. Stuff towels or rags under doors.
• Cover the windows. Close curtains or blinds, and hang blankets over windows at night.
• Keep doors and windows shut as much as you can.

Dress for it, even indoors

• Wear loose, lightweight layers, plus a hat and mittens or gloves.
• Use extra blankets, sleeping bags, and warm coats.
• Eat regular meals and have warm drinks. Warm, sweet drinks or broth help. The CDC advises avoiding alcohol and caffeine, which make your body lose heat faster.

Electric heat on backup power: the honest math

Electric space heaters turn electricity directly into heat, so they use a lot of it. Check the label on yours; many portable heaters list 1,500 watts on their high setting. At that rate, a battery holding 2,000 watt-hours would run the heater for a little over an hour after normal conversion losses, not through the night.

Smaller, targeted heat goes much further on a battery. An electric blanket or heated mattress pad warms a person rather than a room and typically uses far less power than a space heater. Check its label and put the real numbers into the calculator, choosing Electric space heat as the type.

If you plan to run a space heater from a generator, the generator must stay outdoors, at least 20 feet from the home, with exhaust pointed away from doors, windows, and vents.

Space heater safety

Space heaters are a real fire risk. CPSC reported an average of 1,600 portable heater fires a year from 2019 to 2021, causing an average of 70 deaths a year. Federal safety agencies give the same core advice:

• Keep heaters at least 3 feet from anything that can burn, including drapes, furniture, and bedding.
• Plug heaters directly into a wall outlet. Do not use an extension cord or power strip.
• Place heaters on a solid, flat surface, and choose models with automatic shut-off.
• Do not leave a heater running while you sleep.
• Do not use a heater with a cracked or damaged cord or plug.

Fireplaces and fuel-burning heaters

Use a fireplace, wood stove, or fuel-burning heater only if it is vented to the outside and in good repair, and burn only the fuel it was designed for. The CDC suggests checking with your local fire department before using a kerosene heater. Have fuel-burning heating equipment inspected by a professional every year.

Who needs extra attention

The CDC lists older adults without enough heat, food, or warm clothing, and babies sleeping in cold bedrooms, among the people most at risk. Once your own household is safe, check on neighbors who live alone.

Warning signs

Hypothermia

In adults: shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech, and drowsiness. In infants: bright red, cold skin and very low energy. If someone’s temperature is below 95°F, get medical care immediately. While waiting, move them somewhere warm, remove wet clothing, and warm the center of the body first.

Frostbite

Redness or pain, white or grayish-yellow skin, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, or numbness. Warm the area gently. Do not rub it or use hot water or direct heat.

When it is time to go

If your home is getting too cold to keep everyone safe, go somewhere warm: a friend or relative with power, or a public warming center. Your local government or emergency management office, or a call to 2-1-1, can often tell you where warming centers are open.

Short checklist

• Test your carbon monoxide and smoke alarms, and keep spare batteries.
• Choose a warm room and gather blankets, sleeping bags, hats, and gloves.
• Have towels ready for door drafts and blankets for windows.
• Know whether your furnace needs electricity.
• Read your space heater’s label and safety instructions.
• Have the fireplace or fuel-burning heater inspected this year.
• Know where you would go if the house gets too cold.

Sources and safety references

• Safety Guidelines: During and After a Winter Storm (external, CDC)
• Preventing Hypothermia (external, CDC)
• During Extremely Cold Weather (external, National Weather Service)
• There’s a Chill in the Air: Stay Warm Safely (external, CPSC)
• Portable Heater Fire Safety (external, U.S. Fire Administration, PDF)
• Avoiding Carbon Monoxide Poisoning (external, CDC)