Winter Power Outage Prep: Keep Warm, Safe, and Connected

Why Now

Winter storms and Arctic outbreaks often cause the year’s longest power outages. When temperatures plunge, being ready helps you avoid cold-related injuries, carbon monoxide dangers, and costly home damage like burst pipes. The good news: with a few renter- and family-friendly steps, you can stay warm, safe, and connected through multi-day outages.

Safety & Scope

This guide is for home preparedness and basic safety. Always follow instructions from local officials and product manufacturers. For medical concerns, call your healthcare provider or 911. Never use fuel-burning devices indoors or in attached garages due to carbon monoxide (CO) risks. Guidance here aligns with Ready.gov, the Red Cross, the CDC, and the National Weather Service.

Quick-Start: 15-Minute Checklist

Do these this week:

• Put fresh batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms; test them.
• Set up a “warm room” plan: choose one small room to seal and heat with body heat and safe layers.
• Gather safe lights: two LED lanterns and a headlamp per person; avoid candles.
• Charge two power banks; store with charging cables and a car charger.
• Stock warm layers: thermal base layers, hats, gloves, wool socks, blankets/sleeping bags.
• Assign one NOAA Weather Radio or enable Wireless Emergency Alerts on phones.
• Prevent frozen pipes: identify your main water shutoff; insulate exposed indoor pipes; plan to drip faucets on bitter nights.
• Note emergency numbers: landlord, utility outage line, non-emergency city line, pediatrician/doctor.

Keep Warm Without Risky Heat Sources

You don’t need an indoor generator or flame to stay warmer. Focus on trapping heat and reducing exposure.

Heat the person, not the home

• Layer smart: moisture-wicking base, insulating mid-layer (fleece/wool), windproof outer layer for brief outdoor tasks.
• Cover extremities: hats, neck gaiters, gloves, and warm socks make a big difference.
• Use sleeping bags or blankets over legs and shoulders when seated.
• Eat and hydrate regularly; warm drinks (heated safely on an electric hot plate before an outage or on a camping stove outdoors) help comfort.

Create a “warm room” (renter-friendly)

• Pick a small interior room or bedroom. Close doors to unused spaces.
• Hang blankets or plastic sheeting over interior doorways and windows to reduce drafts (use removable tape/command hooks if renting).
• Place rugs or towels on bare floors.
• Share the space: people and pets safely co-located add warmth.
• At night, get everyone into sleeping bags/blankets in the warm room.

Safe supplemental heat choices

• Electric-only space heaters are safe to use when power is on. During outages, do not use fuel-burning heaters indoors.
• When power returns intermittently and you use an electric space heater: keep 3 feet away from anything that can burn, plug directly into a wall outlet (no power strips), and never leave it unattended (American Red Cross guidance).
• Avoid candles; use LED lights to prevent fire.

Carbon Monoxide: Prevent the Invisible Danger

Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and can be deadly. The CDC and Ready.gov stress: never run fuel-burning devices indoors or in attached garages.

What never to do

• Do not run generators, grills, camp stoves, or gasoline/propane heaters inside your home, in a basement, on a porch, or in an attached garage, even with doors open (CDC).
• Do not heat your home with a gas oven or stovetop (CDC/Ready.gov).
• Do not sit in a car to stay warm unless the car is completely outside with the exhaust clear of snow (CDC).

Safer generator basics (outdoors only)

• Place portable generators outside, at least 20 feet from doors, windows, and vents, with the exhaust pointing away from the home (CDC/Ready.gov). Consider a professionally installed transfer switch for future seasons.

CO alarms and response

• Install battery-backed CO alarms on every level and near sleeping areas. Test monthly and replace batteries as needed (CDC).
• If an alarm sounds or you feel dizzy, headache, nausea, or confusion: get outside to fresh air immediately and call 911. Do not re-enter until responders say it’s safe.

Protect Your Pipes and Water

Frozen pipes can burst and cause expensive damage. Simple steps help, and many are renter-friendly.

Before temperatures plunge

• Know your main water shutoff location. If you rent, ask your landlord how to shut off water in an emergency.
• Insulate indoor exposed pipes (under sinks, along exterior walls) with foam sleeves or wrap towels and secure with tape.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to let warmer air reach pipes along exterior walls (Ready.gov).
• Keep the thermostat set consistently day and night during cold snaps (Ready.gov).

During the outage

• Let cold water drip from faucets served by exposed pipes. Even a trickle helps prevent freezing (Ready.gov).
• Keep interior doors closed except to your warm room; open cabinet doors for pipes.
• If you’ll be away, shut off the water at the main and open faucets to drain lines (confirm with your landlord first if renting).

If a pipe freezes

• Turn off water at the main if you suspect a burst or if you need to thaw a frozen line.
• Thaw with safe gentle heat: warm towels, a hair dryer on low, or a space heater used safely in a dry area—never use an open flame or blowtorch (Ready.gov/Red Cross).
• Call your landlord or a licensed plumber if unsure.

Food Safety and Simple Cooking

When the power goes out, keep cold food safe and avoid indoor combustion.

• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. A full freezer keeps food frozen ~48 hours; a half-full freezer ~24 hours. A refrigerator keeps food cold for about 4 hours if unopened (CDC food safety guidance).
• Use appliance thermometers. Discard perishable foods above 40°F for 2 hours or more (CDC).
• Do not use charcoal grills, camp stoves, or propane appliances indoors. If you must cook, do it outside away from doors/windows and never in an attached garage (CDC/Ready.gov).
• Shelf-stable, no-cook options: canned beans, tuna/chicken, nut butters, instant oats (cold-soak), shelf-stable milk, energy bars.

Stay Connected: Power and Communications

Reliable information and basic charging keep you safer and calmer.

Alerts and weather

• Enable Wireless Emergency Alerts on phones.
• Keep a battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA Weather Radio for storm updates and wind chill advisories (NWS Wind Chill guidance helps plan brief outdoor tasks).

Phone and device power

• Maintain two charged power banks per person; rotate charging monthly.
• Store a 12V car charger for phones. If you need to run your car to charge devices, move the car completely outdoors with tailpipe clear of snow and doors/windows closed between home and garage (CDC CO guidance).
• Unplug sensitive electronics during the outage and plug back in after power stabilizes.

Medical and special needs

• Keep backup batteries for essential medical devices. If someone relies on powered medical equipment, notify your utility about medical needs programs and identify a warming center plan if needed (check local emergency management).

Step-by-Step: Your 48-Hour Outage Playbook

Before the storm (today or this week)

• Build your warm room plan and gather layers and blankets.
• Test smoke/CO alarms; place fresh batteries.
• Charge power banks and devices; set up car charger in glove box.
• Stock at least 3 days of easy, no-cook foods and 1 gallon of water per person per day.
• Locate main water shutoff; insulate exposed indoor pipes; open cabinet doors during cold snaps; plan to drip faucets.
• Confirm alternate shelter or warming center options with family/friends if home becomes unsafe.

When power goes out

• Report the outage to your utility; avoid downed power lines.
• Close off unused rooms; set up your warm room.
• Layer clothing; get everyone and pets into the warm room with LED lights.
• Keep fridge/freezer closed; start a simple meal/snack plan.
• Begin faucet drips; check for drafts and add towels/blankets to seal leaks.
• Monitor NOAA Weather Radio and official alerts.

If the outage lasts overnight or longer

• Rotate activities to generate light movement and warmth.
• Check on neighbors, especially older adults or those with disabilities.
• Reassess food safety with thermometers; use outdoor cooking only if safe and away from structures.
• Conserve power banks; schedule brief phone check-ins.
• Inspect pipes for leaks when temps rise; be ready to shut off main if a burst occurs.

After power returns

• Reset thermostats; inspect for water leaks and any pipe damage.
• Check fridge and freezer temperatures; discard unsafe foods per CDC guidance.
• Press the test button on smoke/CO alarms.
• Recharge all power banks; restock used items; note improvements for next time.

Family- and Renter-Friendly Outage Kit

Pack one small bin you can pull out fast:

• Warmth and light
  • 2 LED lanterns + headlamp per person; extra batteries
  • Thermal base layers, hats, gloves, wool socks for each person
  • Emergency blankets or sleeping bags
• Power and comms
  • 2 charged power banks per person
  • Charging cables + 12V car charger
  • Hand-crank/battery NOAA Weather Radio
• Safety
  • Battery-backed smoke and CO alarms (test monthly)
  • Small fire extinguisher (for electrical/kitchen fires)
  • First aid kit and necessary medications
• Food and water
  • 3 days of ready-to-eat foods and manual can opener
  • Bottled water or stored tap water (1 gallon per person per day)
• Home care
  • Pipe insulation foam or towels/tape
  • Plastic sheeting/blankets and removable hooks/tape for sealing drafts
  • Thermometer for fridge/freezer

Tip for renters: Use removable adhesive hooks and painter’s tape to hang blankets and plastic sheeting; keep landlord’s number visible for plumbing issues.

Know Your Wind Chill and Time Outdoors

If you need to step outside to clear vents or check on a neighbor, plan short trips. Use the National Weather Service wind chill chart to estimate safe exposure time and add layers as needed.

The Bottom Line

You can get through a winter power outage safely without risky heat sources. Focus on the basics: trap heat around people, prevent CO exposure, protect your pipes, keep food safe, and maintain simple communications. Prepare a small kit now and practice your warm room plan—so when the lights go out, you already know what to do.