How to Keep Warm If There Is No Heat in Your House

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If you lose your heat in the middle of the winter, it can be more than just an inconvenience—it can be a life-threatening event. Here's how to stay warm.

Step 1: Shut doors and windows
Make sure all doors and windows are securely shut. If you have storm windows, make sure that both the interior and exterior windows are closed.

Step 2: Seal windows
Cover windows with clear plastic wrap and secure with duct tape. This will reduce heat loss through the windows while allowing sunlight to warm the interior of your home.

Tip
Before sealing windows, make sure that your home’s ventilation system is unblocked and that your carbon monoxide detector is working.

Step 3: Draft-proof your doors
Draft-proof doors by rolling up towels and lining them along the bottom of your doors.

Step 4: Dress in layers
Put on multiple layers of clothing. The extra clothing itself will provide warmth, and the air between the layers acts as an insulator.

Tip
Wool, flannel, and synthetics will keep you warmer than cotton or silk.

Step 5: Accessorize
Don’t forget hats and gloves. Your objective is to minimize the amount of exposed skin.

Step 6: Use blankets
Now wrap yourself in a few thick blankets.

Step 7: Eat and drink
Don’t forget to eat and drink. Your body needs fuel to produce heat, so stay well fed, and don’t skimp on the fats. Also, drink water, which will help your body process those calories.

Tip
Stay away from alcoholic and caffeinated beverages. Both will dehydrate you, making it harder for your body to generate heat.

Step 8: Stick together
If you’re in this with other people, stay in the same room, or huddle together, so that you can benefit from each other’s body heat.

Did You Know?
Though igloos are made of snow, parts of the interior can reach 61° Fahrenheit, just from body heat.