When facing a winter storm power outage, prioritize these steps to stay warm and safe:

1. Minimize Heat Loss

  • Avoid opening exterior doors; use airlocks like porches or garages when exiting.
  • Close all interior doors to isolate living areas.
  • Block drafts with towels at door bases and hang blankets over windows.
  • Insulate windows with closed blinds/curtains.
  • Consider moving to a basement for ground insulation benefits.

2. Generate Heat Safely

  • Use wood stoves with periodic burns if wood is available.
  • Harness solar heat by opening sunny-side windows during daylight and using dark blankets to absorb heat.
  • Pre-heat your home before an outage by raising thermostat settings.
  • Use a bathtub of hot water for passive heating (ensure it’s filtered if drinking).
  • Avoid open flames without proper ventilation; use terracotta pot candle heaters cautiously.

3. Conserve Heat

  • Live in one room with sealed doors and insulated windows using blankets, tape, or insulation materials.
  • Add rugs/pillows to floors to reduce heat loss.
  • Use indoor tents with sleeping bags to concentrate body heat.

4. Clothing for Cold Weather

  • Layer with wool/Thinsulate (100g+ insulation rating).
  • Wear gloves under mittens and use chemical hand warmers in pockets/footwear.
  • Follow 3M Thinsulate guidelines for footwear insulation based on temperature.

5. Sleep Warmly

  • Wear warm hats, socks, and use wool blankets/cotton sheets with sleeping bags.
  • Share body heat by sleeping in groups.

6. Nutrition and Hydration

  • Consume calorie-dense foods and hot beverages (tea, chocolate) for internal warmth.
  • Avoid alcohol, which impairs judgment and reduces core body heat.
  • Use emergency water storage for drinking, cooking, and sanitation.

7. Sanitation Without Running Water

  • Use 5-gallon buckets with absorbent materials for toilet waste.
  • Limit flushing to essential needs.
  • Consider primitive methods like burning waste in wood stoves (if safe).
  • Use baby wipes for waterless cleaning.

8. Additional Tips

  • Use cars briefly for warmth (never in enclosed spaces).
  • Store food in unheated areas to utilize natural refrigeration.
  • Keep non-electronic entertainment (cards, board games) for morale.
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