Tips for Staying Warm Indoors During Unexpected Cold

This list involves tips for closing off drafts and keeping yourself warm indoors during an unexpected cold situation. This list is preliminary and does not cover every available option for what to do during an unexpected event.

Step 1: Tip 1: Windows

In an unexpected cold front, the rapid drop in air temperature can cause things like gasketing around windows and doors to shrink (especially in older dwellings). You can use items around your house to close off these drafts.

For windows, you will need:

- bubble wrap (or a plastic bag or newspaper, whichever item you have available to you)

- painter's tape (or another tape you have available)

*Note: certain tapes can cause damage to walls (strip paint), but in a bad situation, your survival is worth more. Walls can be repainted.

Step 1A. Cut the plastic (or newspaper) to desired width, generally 2x the width of the frame. Cut enough of the material to cover the area needed. Overlap as needed.

Step 1B. Roll the plastic or newspaper so that you have a long skinny roll and tuck it into the area, taping it down as you go. Alternatively, if you can open the window, you can create a tighter seal by tucking one end in the gap and then closing the window.

Step 2: Tip 2: Doors

Doors can also cause heat loss in unexpected cold. Close off areas of the house not in use. Curtains, sheets, or blankets can be used if doors are not available.

Roll up towels, dish cloths, or even clothes to cover the bottom of those doors to prevent heat from escaping into those areas. However, be sure to keep your path to exits clear.

For outside-facing doors, you will need:

- sheet, curtain, towel, or trash bag

- thumbtacks or tape

Step 2A. Take the item you have available and attach to the top of the door frame. If you are using a trash bag, cut the sides so that you have a larger piece of plastic. This will cover more area surrounding the door.

If you cannot attach it to the top of the frame, then you can open the door, place one side in the gap, and close the door.
You want to attach it to the top of the frame/door only. This allows for easy escape in case of fire.

Step 3: Tip 3: Clothing

If you find yourself in an unexpected freezing situation, remember COLD:

C: Cover up! Your brain does not respond well to major heat loss. Keep your head covered. Less well known areas of heat loss are your ankles and wrists. Keep those areas covered to maintain heat. That said,

O: Avoid Overheating! Sweat is the body's natural regulator. As sweat evaporates, it lowers our body temperatures.

L: Loose and Layered. Keep your clothes loose. Tight clothes reduce blood circulation, which can lead to cold injury. Several lightweight layers are better than one thicker layer because the airspace in between the layers insulates them.

D: Keep clothing Dry. Moisture reduces the insulation quality of the fabric, which can lead to cold injury. Damp clothes need to be changed.