Losing Heat in Winter
In cold climates, heat is the first thing you miss in a blackout. A modern, well-insulated home holds warmth for many hours. An older one can drop to outdoor temperature within a day. The danger is twofold: cold itself, which is hardest on babies and older people, and the unsafe things people do to get warm.
1. Before winter
- Have a heat source that works without electricity if your home allows it: a wood stove or fireplace with dry wood stored, or an approved gas or paraffin heater with fuel and ventilation.
- Install carbon monoxide and smoke alarms. See Carbon monoxide and gas leaks.
- Keep wool layers, hats, warm socks, blankets and sleeping bags for everyone.
- Seal draughts around windows and doors.
- Find the main water valve and learn how to drain pipes if you have to leave the house cold.
- Agree with a neighbour, friend or relative where you can go if your home gets too cold.
2. During: keep the heat you have
- Choose one room, preferably small and on the sunny side, and gather everyone there. Close the doors to the rest of the home.
- Cover windows with blankets or curtains at night. Let the sun in during the day.
- Block draughts under doors with towels.
- Dress in several loose layers, with wool next to the skin. Wear a hat and warm socks indoors.
- Put up a tent or build a den of blankets in the room and sleep close together. Use sleeping bags.
- Eat regularly and drink warm drinks. Move around to keep warm, without sweating.
Never do this
- Never use a grill, camping stove, generator or gas oven to heat the home. They produce carbon monoxide.
- Never leave candles or an open fire unattended.
Protect the pipes
- Let taps drip slightly to keep water moving, and open cupboard doors under sinks.
- If the home will be without heat for a long time in hard frost, close the main valve and drain the pipes.
Watch for hypothermia
- Signs: strong shivering, tiredness, confusion, fumbling hands, slurred speech. In babies: cold, red skin and very low energy.
- Move the person to a warm place, remove wet clothes, warm the chest first with blankets and body heat, and give warm drinks if they are awake. Call the emergency number.
- Check on older neighbours and people who live alone at least once a day.
When to leave
- If you cannot keep one room above about 10 to 12°C, or you have a baby, an older or ill person at home, go to relatives, friends or a warming centre opened by the municipality.
3. After
- Warm the home gradually. Check pipes for leaks as they thaw.
- Restock wood, fuel and batteries.
Quick checklist
- Heat source that works without power, with fuel
- CO and smoke alarms
- Wool layers, blankets, sleeping bags
- One room chosen
- Main water valve located
- A place to go if it gets too cold
See also Power Outages, Heat and cold waves, Storms and all risks.
Sources
- FEMA / Ready.gov: Winter Weather
- CDC: Preventing hypothermia and frostbite
- DSB Norway: Egenberedskap (PDF, Norwegian)
Educational material. Always follow instructions from your local authorities. Last reviewed: November 2026.