Prepare for a winter power outage: layers, heating one room safely, protecting pipes, the car, food and a 72-hour plan for cold weather.
- Layers, bedding and one small room do most of the work.
- Know your water shut-off and protect pipes.
- Never bring fuel-burning equipment indoors.
A winter outage is more dangerous than a summer one, because the cold gets into your home quickly and the usual backup tools behave differently in freezing weather. The good news is that a few smart steps, taken before the storm, make a big difference. This guide covers the cold-weather angle for Canada and the northern US.
For a full checklist, pair it with the winter storm prep checklist and the general outage preparation guide.
Start with layers and bedding
Dressing well is the cheapest heating you have. Wear several thin layers rather than one thick one, add a hat, warm socks and dry gloves, and keep a wool or fleece blanket per person. Sleeping bags rated for cold weather are excellent for nights. Keep clothing dry, since damp clothes lose heat fast. More ideas are in how to stay warm without power.
Shrink the space you heat
Pick one small interior room, ideally without large windows, and gather everyone there. Close doors, hang blankets over windows and doorways, and put towels along door gaps. Body heat will warm a small room more than a large house. Read keeping your home warm for more.
Protect your pipes
- Know where your main water shut-off valve is and how to close it.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls so room air reaches the pipes.
- Let a faucet drip slowly during a hard freeze if local guidance supports it.
- If the house is going to be unheated for a long time, follow official advice on draining the system.
- Do not use open flames to thaw pipes.
Prepare the car
Keep the tank at least half full in winter, since gas pumps do not work without power. Store a winter kit with blankets, a shovel, traction aid, a flashlight, snacks and a phone charger (see winter car emergency kit). Never run the engine in a closed garage, and keep the tailpipe clear of snow if you sit in the car to warm up.
Food, water and light
Stock no-cook food and water for at least 72 hours (see 72-hour checklist). Stored water can freeze, so keep some in an interior space and use containers with room for expansion. Have headlamps and a battery or hand-crank radio. If your heat is electric or has an electric fan, see furnace guidance.
Batteries and power in the cold
Cold weather reduces battery performance. Keep phones, power banks and batteries in an inside pocket or insulated bag. A portable power station should be used and stored according to the maker's temperature range (see power stations in cold weather).
Check on others
Older adults, young children and people with health conditions are more vulnerable to cold. Arrange to check on neighbours (see neighbour check-ins) and identify a warming centre or a friend's home you can go to. If the indoor temperature keeps falling, or anyone shows signs of hypothermia, go somewhere warm and seek help.
Cold-weather prep list
- Pack warm clothing, hats and sleeping bags.
- Choose a small room to heat and prepare it.
- Learn your water shut-off.
- Fill the car tank and stock a car kit.
- Test CO alarms and flashlights.
- Plan a place to go if the house gets too cold.
Practise before the storm
Spend an evening with the lights off and the heat turned down to see what you would miss. Can everyone find a light? Do you know where the blankets, radio and spare batteries are? Can you open the garage door manually? Is your phone charged and do you have a paper list of numbers? Fixing these small gaps in advance costs little and removes much of the stress. Teach children where the emergency kit lives, and set a rule that no one uses a stove or fuel heater to warm the house.
Quick answers
How cold will my house get?
It depends on the building, insulation and weather. Plan on rapid cooling in extreme cold and have a place to go.
Should I let my faucets drip?
Many authorities suggest a slow drip during a hard freeze, but follow local guidance and your plumber's advice.