What do you do for emergency heat if a power outage occurs during a winter storm?
Be Prepared
- Get a generator and ensure you have fuel for it.
- Get an indoor auxiliary (non-electrical) heater – follow operating and safety instructions.
- Make sure your home heating fuel tank is full for the winter.
- Have extra clothing and blankets on hand.
- Stock up on firewood
Staying Warm
- Avoid opening and closing exterior doors.
- Close all doors inside the house and live in one room.
- Block drafts at the base of doors with rolled up towels.
- Close blinds/curtains to insulate windows.
- Fire up wood stoves and indoor propane heaters.
- If it’s a sunny day, open blinds/curtains only on the sunny side of the house. Place dark clothing and blankets directly in the sunlight to soak up its heat.
- Run a bathtub of hot water to add heat to the house.
- Layer your clothing.
- Drink hot beverages.
- Eat to raise your metabolism, which will generate additional internal heat.
- Don’t bathe unless necessary – getting wet will make you cold.
- Use your vehicle’s heater for warmth only for brief periods of time, and ensure vehicle exhaust is adequately ventilated.
