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How to stay warm without power (safely)

By the Protocol Survival team · Based on CDC, Ready.gov and U.S. Fire Administration guidance · Updated October 2026

During Winter Storm Uri in February 2021, millions of Texans lost power in freezing temperatures, and the state attributed 246 deaths to the storm — many from hypothermia and carbon monoxide poisoning. Most of those risks are preventable with a plan you make before the house gets cold.

Never do these to heat your home: run a generator in a garage, basement or near a window; use a gas stove or oven for heat; burn charcoal or use a propane/charcoal grill indoors. They produce carbon monoxide, which can kill without warning. Keep a battery-powered CO alarm running in the room where you sleep.

The one-room method

Pick one small interior room with few windows — ideally on the south side of the house during the day, and away from exterior walls at night.
Close it off. Shut doors, put rolled towels along door gaps and hang blankets over windows and doorways.
Get everyone in it, including pets. Body heat warms a small space surprisingly well.
Insulate from the floor. Sleep on camping pads, folded blankets or a mattress, not on cold floors.
A tent inside the room holds heat even better — great for kids.

Dress and sleep for the cold

Wear several loose layers instead of one thick one. Wool and synthetics stay warm even when damp; cotton doesn't.
Wear a hat, socks and gloves — including at night.
Stay dry. Change out of damp clothes right away.
Eat regular meals and drink water and warm drinks. Avoid alcohol — it makes you lose body heat faster.
Sleeping bags rated for cold weather are one of the best investments for a winter outage.

Safe heat sources

A fireplace or wood stove that has been inspected, with the damper open and a screen in place.
Indoor-rated portable heaters only, used exactly as the manufacturer says, with an automatic shutoff — and keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away. Never leave them running while everyone sleeps unless the model is designed for it.
A portable power station can run an electric blanket for hours using far less energy than a space heater.
Hand and body warmers are cheap and safe.

Protect your pipes

Let cold-water faucets on exterior walls drip slightly
Open cabinet doors under sinks so warmer air reaches the pipes
Know where your main water shutoff is in case a pipe bursts
If the house will drop well below freezing for days, ask a plumber in advance how to drain your system

Know the signs of hypothermia

Watch especially for older adults, babies and anyone who is sick. Warning signs include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech and drowsiness. Babies may have bright red, cold skin and very low energy. A body temperature below 95°F is a medical emergency — call 911, get the person into a warm place, remove wet clothing and warm the center of the body first.

When to leave

If your home can't be kept safely warm, don't wait until night falls. Check your city or county emergency management website, local radio or by calling 211 for warming centers, and go while roads are still passable. Bring medications, chargers and your documents.

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Related guides

Sources: CDC, "Hypothermia" and "Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention"; Ready.gov, "Winter Weather"; U.S. Fire Administration, heating fire safety; Texas DSHS figures as reported by NPR (January 2022).