05 / HEAT AND COOLING
Heat and cooling
Heating and cooling are the biggest electric loads in most homes, and they are the ones a small battery cannot carry. This base is about staying safe without them, and about the one thing that hurts people most in an outage: carbon monoxide from the wrong heat source.
Common gaps
- Heat or a cooling plan that depends on the grid, and nothing else.
- A gas stove, grill or generator used indoors because it felt like the only option.
- No battery carbon monoxide alarm near the bedrooms.
- No plan for babies, older adults or anyone with a medical device.
In the cold
CDC's guidance is to have at least one safe way to stay warm if the power goes out. Good starting points are extra blankets, sleeping bags and warm coats, and a fireplace that is up to code with dry firewood, or a gas log fireplace.
- Dress in layers, with a hat and gloves, and stay dry. Wet clothing chills the body fast. Take off a layer if you start to sweat.
- Close off rooms you do not need, and avoid opening doors and windows.
- Watch for signs of hypothermia and frostbite. Cold also puts extra strain on the heart.
- Infants under one year old should never sleep in a cold room, because they lose body heat more easily than adults. Follow CDC's tips for keeping a baby warm.
- If the house gets too cold, or someone depends on powered medical equipment, go to a warming center or stay with a friend or relative.
In the heat
CDC's guidance for a power outage in hot weather: find an air-conditioned place such as a shelter or public building, drink plenty of fluids, and cool off with a cool bath or a wet cloth. Contact your local health department to find a cooling center. Battery-operated fans help, so keep fresh batteries on hand.
Heat sources and the rules
| Source | The rule |
|---|---|
| Gas stove or oven | Never use it to heat your home. CDC and Ready.gov both say it is unsafe |
| Fireplace or wood stove | Only if it is properly vented to the outside and in good repair. Do not leave a fire unattended. Do not let it burn while everyone sleeps |
| Electric space heater | Use one with an automatic shut-off and non-glowing elements. Keep it at least 3 feet from anything that can burn. Never cover it, never put it on furniture or near water, and never leave children alone near it. Do not use it with a damaged cord |
| Kerosene heater | Check with your local fire department that it is legal where you live, and follow the maker's instructions |
| Generator | Outside only, at least 20 feet from the house, with the exhaust pointed away. Never in a garage, basement or on a porch |
| Grill or camp stove | Outdoors only. Never for heat, and never indoors |
| Car | Warm it up outside the garage. An attached garage can leak carbon monoxide into the house even with the door open. Limit time sitting in a running car |
An electric space heater typically draws about 1,500 watts, which is far more than a small power station can supply. Check your label, and do not plan to heat with a RIVER 3.
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide has no color or smell, and it can kill people who are asleep before they notice. Generators, gas ovens and ranges, grills and cars all produce it.
- CDC recommends battery-operated carbon monoxide alarms placed near sleeping areas. Ready.gov recommends alarms with battery backup on every level of the home.
- Test them before cold weather and replace them at their end-of-life date.
- If an alarm sounds, get outside to fresh air right away and call 911.
Who needs extra care
- Babies, older adults, people with medical conditions, and pets.
- Ask a neighbor to check on you, and check on yours.
- If someone relies on powered medical equipment, see our guide on medical devices in an outage.
What to buy
| Item | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Carbon monoxide alarm | A battery or sealed-battery alarm listed to UL 2034, an 85 dB horn, and an end-of-life warning |
| Blankets and sleeping bags | A warm rating for your climate, and a way to keep them dry |
| Warm layers, hats and gloves | Wool or synthetic, not cotton, next to the skin |
| Battery fans | Runtime, battery type, and a way to mount or stand them |
| Thermometer | Easy to read, shows indoor temperature |
Picks
| Pick | Why |
|---|---|
| First Alert CO710 10-Year Sealed Battery Carbon Monoxide Alarm | Sealed lithium battery rated for up to 10 years, electrochemical sensor, 85 dB horn, digital display, end-of-life signal. Conforms to UL 2034 per the maker's manual. Replace after 10 years or when the signal sounds. |
It replaces the discontinued CO400. See its card on the Gear page. No heater picks yet, because none have been spec-checked.
Sources
- CDC, Safety Guidelines: During and After a Winter Storm: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/duringstorm/indoorsafety.html
- CDC, Stay Safe During and After a Winter Storm: https://www.cdc.gov/winter-weather/safety/stay-safe-during-after-a-winter-storm-safety.html
- CDC, What to Do to Protect Yourself During a Power Outage: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/poweroutage/needtoknow.html
- CDC, Prevent Heat-Related Illnesses During a Power Outage: https://cdc.gov/natural-disasters/psa-toolkit/prevent-heat-related-illnesses-during-a-power-outage.html
- CPSC, What to Know About Generators and CO (PDF): https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/468_WhattoKnowGenerators_2022_v5.pdf
- Ready.gov, Power Outages: https://www.ready.gov/power-outages
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