Power outages are something we all hope to avoid. But when they do happen, it can be a big inconvenience. If you’re not prepared, it can also be dangerous. Especially if your power outage happens to occur during the winter during freezing temperatures. In this article, we’ll be discussing what you should do when the power goes out in the colder months of the year.
Prevent Freezing
One of the most important things to do in the event of a power outage is to dress warmly. In the event of a power outage, it is always key to wear a hat, scarf, and gloves. The more layers you wear the warmer you will be. Wearing extra clothing will help to protect you from the cold weather and conserve your body heat.
If you have no power, it is important to utilize whatever means you have to keep warm. This may mean sleeping in a sleeping bag or under extra blankets. You can also huddle together with family or friends to share body heat. When you take on these simple steps, you can prevent freezing during a power outage.
Layer Your Clothing
To keep warm, you should wear layers of clothing. The more layers you have the warmer you will be. Wearing several thin layers is better than wearing one big bulky one because it creates barriers of warm air between you and the outside. The extra space between these barriers allows your body heat to stay inside your clothes where it belongs, making sure that all those moving parts are kept nice and warm!
Cover Exposed Skin
It’s also important to put on a long-sleeve shirt and long pants so that there is less skin exposed to cold air. Our skin loses heat very quickly, especially our heat and feet. If possible, wear long underwear under your clothes as well; this will help trap even more heat around your body!
It’s best not to wear cotton since it absorbs water instead of repelling it like polyester does. This means that if it gets wet then it will not let any wind pass through it as well. The material will hold more water which will result in the cooling of our bodies. I would not recommend cotton if you are doing physical activity outside.
Drink Warm Liquids (If Possible)
If you are not able to heat up water, then layer clothing and moving around are great alternatives. You can either boil water with fuel (propane) or use a candle flame to warm up your drinks.
- Drink Tea or Coffe
- Drink Hot Chocolate
- Soup or Broth
Candles
I would look for any candles that I have in my home and move them into one room. Then I would use the candles as an extra source of heat. This is another option if you have no power.
Eat Hot Foods
Yes, you should eat hot foods when it’s cold out. Our bodies are naturally inclined and crave hot food. They can help to increase your body temperature. It is a great way to combat the cold.
That being said, if you don’t have power this may not be an option. So I would focus on the things that you can do, which are mentioned in this article.
Close Unused Rooms In Your Home
To keep your home warm, you should always close off unused rooms in your home. This helps to prevent the cold air from coming into the rest of your house and spreading out. A good rule of thumb is if you know there is a room that gets cold more than others you could close the door to that room. The goal is to protect the warmth that you have, from slipping away.
You should also make sure that doors and windows are closed, as well as vents and fans. If you have a fireplace or wood-burning stove make sure that those are working properly.
So that they can provide heat throughout the rest of your home. You should also check any vents for drafts before closing them off. This will help keep them warmer when needed without having to turn on any heaters or fireplaces which may cause more problems if used too often
Draft Stoppers
When a power outage occurs, staying warm is essential. They add the extra bit of heat retention that could make all the difference. Draft stoppers can help retain heat and make all the difference in your overall warmth. It is common that homes to have drafts in certain areas of the home.
They are typically placed near doors and windows to keep cold air out and warm air in. By keeping drafts sealed, you can stay warm until power is restored. So, if you’re looking for a way to retain heat during a power outage, draft stoppers are a great option!
These are the easy steps to keep you warm in a power outage
These are all easy tips to keep you warm in a power outage.
- Wear multiple layers of clothing.
- Wear socks and boots.
- Keep moving, even if it’s just pacing back and forth in your living room. This will get your blood flowing and help you stay warmer. Then if you were sitting still for hours at a time. It’s always great when walking around during the day, as it helps us feel less trapped indoors. That being said, if it is too cold outside then moving around in your living room is a great idea.
- Use a blanket, as it can add extra warmth to your environment without being too hot to handle. If you have multiple layers and a blanket you are doing a good job. Then moving around and having some candles only will increase your level of warmth.
- Candles: I would bring candles into one room to help increase the overall heat being produced.
Physical Exercise
When you get your blood pumping it is a great way to stay warm. If you are outside then this will not be a good idea. This has to be done in moderation if outside in a cold environment. This is because when your sweat cools, you will freeze more. Inside it will help to retain the heat that you are creating.
It is important to keep calm and make sure you are taking care of your family. You will have plenty of time to stress once the power is back on. If the situation does not get any better, call for help immediately. There are a few easy things that you can do to stay warm during a power outage.
These are the following easy things to do: wearing multiple layers of clothing, using a blanket, and exercising, you can help to increase your body temperature. Candles can also provide an extra source of heat. Remember to close off unused rooms in your home and seal any drafts.
