❄️ Cold snap or winter blackout: what to do, step by step

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In winter, a long blackout is mostly a problem of cold. The biggest threat at home is carbon monoxide from heaters used the wrong way.

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Before

  1. Have blankets, sleeping bags and warm clothes for layering.
  2. If you have a stove or fireplace, have it checked and keep a battery-powered carbon monoxide detector.

During

  1. Gather in a single room, the smallest and sunniest one, and close off the rest. Seal the gaps around doors and windows.
  2. Dress in layers, with a hat and socks; hot food and drinks help keep you warm.
  3. Never use the oven, gas stove, braziers or barbecues to heat your home: carbon monoxide has no smell and it kills.
  4. Hypothermia: intense shivering, clumsiness, slurred speech and drowsiness. Call your local emergency number (112 in Europe, 911 in North America), warm the person gradually (the torso first) and, only if they're conscious and can swallow, give them warm, sweet drinks, no alcohol.

After

  1. Check for frozen or burst pipes before turning the main valve back on.

What you need for this emergency

See the full kit: 1-week-plus kit →

Figures and sources

Other emergencies