Winter power outages are a real threat. Without heat, freezing temperatures can become life-threatening.
Did you know that more people die from exposure to cold weather than hot weather?
From the EPA: “In recent years, U.S. death rates in winter months have been 8 to 12 percent higher than in non-winter months. […] Overall, a total of more than 19,000 Americans have died from cold-related causes since 1979, according to death certificates.”
From Newsweek: “Cold weather kills 20 times as many people as hot weather.”
From Public Health Post: “Each year in the United States, about 1,330 people die of cold exposure, essentially freezing to death.”
Given America’s weak power grid, there is a real possibility you may find yourself without power in freezing temperatures (such as our friends in Texas experienced in 2021).
Read on for practical, actionable hacks to stay warm using layering, insulation, and resourceful techniques when the power is out.
Layering Is Critical
Let’s start at the top. Everyone needs to have some layering basics on hand at all times.
- Blankets. Blankets can be used for everything from body insulation to trapping heat indoors by covering windows.
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Winter Clothing. Everyone needs a set of winter clothing, including sweaters, pants, and coats.
Sleeping Bags. Sleeping bags are useful beyond camping trips or kids’ sleepovers. In an extremely cold situation, a sleeping bag can be lifesaving. Note – It’s wise to invest in a quality sleeping bag designed for extreme temperatures. - Head and Toes: The key to staying warm is trapping the heat on your head and your toes. Along with your winter clothing, you should have something to keep your head warm and a pair of thick socks. The US Forest Service recommends, “A warm cap and mittens are essential. Up to a 50 percent heat loss can take place from an uncovered head.”
Improvised Insulation Using Everyday Items
If you are facing freezing temperatures without power, you need to know how to improvise to stay warm.
- Here are some tips for insulating using everyday items.
- Keep the Warmth In. Start by focusing on trapping heat both in your home and on your body. Now Power Texas explains, “The first and most important step to staying warm during a power outage can be summed up in one word: conservation. We don’t think much about it when the heating is working, but a blast of cold can quickly drop the temp 5 to 10 degrees with no easy way to get that heat back.”
- Add Extra Insulation to Windows. Tape bubble wrap, trash bags, or newspapers to your windows or glass doors to reduce heat loss. Keep curtains closed. If you do not have curtains, hang heavy blankets over your windows.
- Block Drafts. Roll up towels, blankets, or sheets and place them at the base of doors or windows to block any drafts.
- Keep Doors Closed. Close off any rooms you are not using and avoid opening doors unless necessary.
- Insulate Floors. Popular Science suggests, “Look at your floor. If it’s carpet, you’re ahead of the game. If it’s tile, wood, or another hard material, it will suck heat out of your room, so you should insulate it too.” Cover the floors with blankets, rugs, or even clothes.
- Try Tenting. Use your camping tent or construct a blanket fort to create a small, insulated area inside the home.
- Use Outdoor Materials for Insulating Clothing. Preparedness experts often suggest using outdoor materials, such as leaves and grass, to stuff your clothing for extra insulation. You can also improvise with materials like crumbled paper or packing peanuts.
- Warm Bricks and Rocks. If you have bricks or rocks around your home, you can place these in your fireplace or firepit and allow them to warm up. Then, you can remove them safely using tongs, wrap them in blankets, and use them as warmers.
Body Heat Optimization Tips
It’s imperative to regulate your body temperature in cold temps.
Ultimately, you want to trap the heat on your body and not let it escape.
- Dress in Layers: The best way to keep your body at the right temperature is to dress in layers. The goal is to stay warm but not to sweat. Popular Science explains, “Sweat means wet clothes, and that can be deadly when it’s cold. Because water conducts heat so well, perspiration is an involuntary act of self-sabotage when you’re fighting off the winter chill—it will sap you of your precious heat and render your clothes ineffective at the same time.” Aim for dressing in clothes that are made of synthetic fabrics and avoid things like cotton.
- Hand Warmers: Everyone should keep some hand warmers in their go-bag, hiking gear, first aid supplies, and car console. Go ahead and add them to the pockets of all your winter coats. These are a quick and effective way to get warm and stay warm.
- Blankets: Use blankets to stay warm. Wrap yourself up until you feel comfortable. Or get an emergency blanket.
- Exercise: To warm up, do a little exercise. Don’t exercise to the point where you sweat, but get your blood pumping.
Safe Indoor Heating Solutions
In addition to the above means for insulating and layering, there are also resources available for safe heating indoors.
- Wood Stove or Fireplace: Ideally, your home will have a wood stove or fireplace that can be used without power.
- VESTA Indoor Heater and Stove: Even if you have a wood stove or fireplace, we still recommend the VESTA Indoor Heater & Stove. This is a tool everyone should have. It allows you to safely heat spaces indoors, as well as cook warm meals.
- Stay in One Small Room: A trick anyone can use to stay warm is to stick to one small room in their home. It is much easier to keep one room warm rather than an entire house. Aim for an upper room with fewer exterior walls or windows.
- Candles: Candles are a good source of light and warmth. Check out the 100-Hour Candle by Ready Hour.
- Hot Water Bottles: A bottle filled with hot water and placed under your feet is an effective means for staying warm. If you don’t have power, you can use a fire to boil a pot of water to be poured into an empty hot water bottle.
Cooking for Warmth and Comfort
It is critical to make sure you continue to eat and drink well in these situations – but that’s trickier if the power is out.
This is why one of the smartest investments you can make is the VESTA Self-Powered Indoor Space Heater & Stove. Not only will this keep you safely warm outdoors, but you can also use it safely indoors. Plus, if you lose power, you can use Vesta to cook food.
- Warm Beverages: When it is freezing, you need to drink warm beverages and not cold ones. But, without power, you need the right supplies, such as emergency coffee and a stainless steel coffee pot.
- Warm Food: Ready Hour emergency food is designed specifically with these types of extreme situations in mind. Most of these emergency foods can be prepared simply with boiling water. Enjoy a delicious, warm bowl of soup even when the grid is down.
- Canned Heat: When it comes to indoor cooking, you don’t want to use propane. Instead, you need indoor cooking fuel, such as InstaFire 6-Hour Canned Heat. It fits camp stoves and the VESTA Self-Powered Indoor Space Heater and Stove for easy cooking.
Stay safe and warm, friends.
In liberty,
Elizabeth Anderson
Preparedness Advisor, My Patriot Supply
