Winter storm prompts tips to stay warm during power outages
With power outages expected from a winter storm, a Facebook post shared practical tips to help people stay warm if electricity goes out. The post advised closing blinds or curtains to retain heat, shutting doors to limit the area that needs warming, wearing loose-fitting layers of warm clothing and stuffing towels into cracks under doors to insulate a home. It also recommended eating and drinking for energy while avoiding caffeine and alcohol.
The guidance arrives as winter storms frequently cause outages that leave homes and apartment buildings without heating for hours or longer. Loss of heat increases the risk of hypothermia and frostbite, particularly for older adults, infants and people with certain medical conditions.
Emergency preparedness experts recommend similar steps: consolidate household members into a single, smaller room; use bedding and extra clothing to retain body heat; and rely on battery-powered lighting and communications devices. If you must use alternative heat sources, follow manufacturer instructions and safety guidance to avoid fire or carbon monoxide risks.
These tips are general safety measures shared on social media and can help households manage short-term outages. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
