What to Do If You Lose Electricity During Winter

A winter power outage can quickly reduce indoor temperatures and create severe health and safety hazards. Taking immediate action to retain heat safely and prevent carbon monoxide buildup is essential until grid power is restored.

Emergency Warning

If anyone shows signs of severe hypothermia (such as uncontrollable shivering, confusion, slurred speech, or extreme drowsiness) or if a carbon monoxide detector sounds, call local emergency services immediately.

What to Do First

1. Report the outage: Contact your local electric utility company right away. Do not assume neighbors have already reported it.
2. Dress for extreme warmth: Layer loose, lightweight clothing. Put on hats, gloves, scarves, and thick socks, as significant body heat is lost through exposed skin.
3. Conserve indoor heat: Gather everyone into a central room with the fewest exterior walls and windows. Close doors to unused rooms, cover windows with heavy blankets, and place rolled towels under doors to block cold drafts.
4. Preserve food safety: Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. An unopened refrigerator keeps food cold for roughly 4 hours, while a full freezer maintains safe temperatures for about 48 hours.
5. Prevent electrical surges: Unplug sensitive electronics and appliances to prevent damage from potential power spikes when electricity returns. Leave a single light switch turned on so you know when power is restored.

What NOT to Do

• Do NOT use outdoor heaters or grills indoors: Never use fuel-powered generators, charcoal grills, camp stoves, or propane heaters inside your home, garage, or basement. Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, and lethal gas.
• Do NOT use gas stoves or ovens for heat: Using cooking appliances to warm a room presents severe fire hazards and risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Do NOT rely on candles for light: Avoid open flames due to high fire risks. Use battery-operated flashlights or lanterns instead.
• Do NOT place generators near doors or windows: Keep portable generators outdoors, at least 20 feet away from windows, doors, and vents.

Protecting Plumbing from Freezing

If indoor temperatures fall below freezing, protect your plumbing from freezing and bursting. Allow faucets to drip water slowly to keep liquid moving through pipes. Open cabinet doors under kitchen and bathroom sinks to let room air reach internal pipes. If you suspect pipes are freezing, locate and shut off your main water valve to prevent home flooding when temperatures rise.

This guide is for general emergency preparation and safety information. It is not a substitute for professional emergency services or medical care. In an emergency, always contact local emergency services immediately.