Shelter and warmth

Stay warm, cool and dry

by Joe Miller

In a winter outage a house can drop below 40 °F in a day or two. Pick one room, seal it up and heat it safely, and know when it's time to go somewhere else.

Make one warm room1Pick a roomSmall, on the sunny side,few windows, away fromoutside walls if you can2Seal itHang blankets over doorsand windows; towels underdoors3Tent insideA tent in the room trapsbody heat4Sleep warmSleeping bags, hats,layers, everyone together5Heat it safelyIndoor-rated heater only,with a CO alarmClose off the rest of the house.
It is much easier to keep one room warm than a whole house.
Heating safely without powerDoDon'tIndoor-rated propane heaters (Mr. Heater Buddy type)A wood stove or fireplace you've had inspectedBattery carbon monoxide alarm on every levelCrack a window when burning anythingKeep 3 feet clear around any heaterNever run a generator, grill or camp stove indoors orin a garageNever use the oven or gas stove to heat the houseNever leave heaters on while everyone sleepsunattendedNever use outdoor heaters insideNever ignore a CO alarm: get out first
Carbon monoxide kills hundreds of Americans every winter.
Dress in layersBase layerWool or synthetic, nevercottonInsulationFleece or downShellWindproof and waterproofHat and glovesUp to half your heatescapes from bare skinDry socksChange when damp"Cotton kills": wet cotton pulls heat from your body.
Stay dry and you stay warm.

Summer heat

Staying cool without air conditioningLowest floorBasements stay coolestBlock the sunClose blinds on the sunnyside by dayWaterDrink before you'rethirstyWet clothsOn neck and wrists; a fanif you have powerCooling centerKnow where the nearestone isConfusion, a very high temperature or no sweating is heat stroke: call 911 and cool them fast.
Heat kills more Americans than any other weather.
More on hypothermia, frostbite and heat stroke first aid at doctorcritical.com.
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Sources

Checked November 11, 2026.