Emergency Heat Without Power: Safe, Smart, Warm

Objective

Keep a small space warm safely during a winter outage without causing fire or CO incidents.

Room Strategy

• Pick one room. Smallest, most interior, minimal windows.
• Seal it. Towels at gaps; blankets over doorways; foil/reflectix on windows.
• Sleep low. Mattresses and bags on floor; add throw blankets over the top.

Heat Sources (Safe)

• Body heat. People + pets are heaters; use shared bedding.
• Hot water bottles. Boil water on safe stove; use screw‑top bottles in towels.
• Car as heater. Run 10–15 min/hour; tailpipe clear; CO alarm in room (battery).

Never Indoors

• BBQ, charcoal, propane heaters without indoor rating. If it burns fuel, assume outdoor‑only unless certified for indoor use.

Clothing System

• Dry base, insulated mid, windproof shell; hat + socks + light gloves.

Real Example

Family converted a closet‑sized office, sealed drafts, used hot water bottles and a 15‑min/hr car‑heat plan; room stayed at 15–17°C while house sat at 6–8°C.

Checklist

• Battery CO alarm
• Reflectix/foil + tape
• Hot water bottles
• Extra blankets

Contingencies

• Condensation → ventilate briefly each hour to protect walls.
• Fuel shortage → switch to exercise blocks for warmth boosts.

After‑Action

Pre‑pick your heat room and stage sealing materials now.

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