Winter Power Outage: 5 Dangerous Mistakes to Avoid

Winter power outage mistakes can turn an already dangerous situation into a life-threatening emergency. When freezing temperatures, snow, and ice knock out electricity, the decisions you make in the hours and days that follow can have serious consequences. When freezing temperatures, snow, and ice knock out electricity, the decisions you make in the hours and days that follow can have serious consequences.

Unfortunately, some of the most dangerous mistakes people make during winter blackouts are also preventable.

In February 2021, a massive winter storm swept across Texas, leaving millions of homes and businesses without electricity. Some residents remained without power for days, often with no reliable source of heat.

According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, 246 deaths were attributed to the disaster. Although extreme cold was a major factor, some deaths resulted from the methods people used to cope with the emergency.

The lesson is simple: having emergency supplies matters, but knowing how to use them safely is just as important.

Here are five mistakes to avoid during an extended winter power outage.

## 1. Trying to Heat Your Entire House

When the electricity goes out, your first instinct might be to keep your entire home warm.

But if you’re relying on a generator, portable power station, fireplace, or another limited heating source, maintaining comfortable temperatures throughout the house can quickly exhaust your resources.

A more practical approach is to concentrate on keeping one area warm.

Choose a room that is well insulated, has relatively few windows, and can be separated from unused areas of the home.

To help retain heat:

• – Close doors to unused rooms where appropriate.
• – Cover drafty windows with curtains or blankets.
• – Use draft stoppers or towels to reduce air movement beneath doors.
• – Dress in layers and use blankets or sleeping bags.
• – Keep household members together in the designated warm area.

You don’t necessarily need to maintain a comfortable 70°F throughout your home. However, don’t assume a particular lower temperature is safe for everyone. Older adults, infants, and people with certain medical conditions may need warmer conditions.

### What about fireplaces and wood stoves?

A properly maintained wood-burning fireplace or stove can provide valuable supplemental heat.

However, the layout of your home matters.

For example, a fireplace located in a large living room with vaulted ceilings may struggle to heat the entire space. You might be better off using that room for warmth during the day and moving to a smaller, better-insulated room for sleeping.

Some households also consider setting up a small camping tent indoors to help create a more sheltered sleeping space.

If you do, keep it well away from fireplaces, stoves, and other heat sources. Never operate a fuel-burning heater inside the tent.

The goal isn’t to keep your entire house at its normal temperature. It’s to use your available heating resources efficiently while keeping everyone safe.

## 2. Using Unsafe Emergency Heating Methods or Generators

One of the greatest dangers during a winter blackout comes from attempts to replace lost heat.

During the February 2021 Texas winter storm, 19 deaths were attributed to carbon monoxide poisoning and another 10 to fire-related injuries.

These tragedies demonstrate why emergency heating equipment must be used correctly.

### Portable generator safety

Generators can be extremely useful during an outage, but fuel-burning models produce carbon monoxide.

Carbon monoxide is invisible, odorless, and potentially deadly.

Never operate a portable fuel-burning generator inside your home, garage, basement, or another enclosed or partially enclosed area.

Opening a garage door or window does not make indoor generator operation safe.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends placing portable generators outdoors, at least 20 feet from the home, with exhaust directed away from doors, windows, and ventilation openings.

This applies to gasoline, propane, and other fuel-burning generators.

### Avoid dangerous heating substitutes

Never use charcoal grills, outdoor camping stoves, or kitchen ovens to heat your home.

If you’re considering a portable propane or kerosene heater, verify that the specific model is approved for indoor use and follow the manufacturer’s ventilation, clearance, and operating instructions.

Portable does not automatically mean indoor-safe.

### Fireplace and space heater precautions

Fireplaces and wood stoves should be inspected and maintained regularly. Blocked chimneys can allow dangerous gases to enter the home, while creosote buildup can contribute to chimney fires.

Keep combustible materials at safe distances, use an appropriate fireplace screen, and never leave a fire unattended.

Electric space heaters introduce a different set of risks.

Although they don’t produce carbon monoxide, they can create fire hazards and consume considerable electricity.

Keep portable heaters on stable surfaces, maintain appropriate clearances, and avoid extension cords and power strips. Use only connections and backup power arrangements approved for the equipment.

Never leave portable space heaters running unattended or while sleeping.

### Don’t overlook your alarms

Working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are essential during winter emergencies.

Test them regularly and ensure they have battery power or battery backup so they continue operating when household electricity fails.

Emergency heating should never create a greater danger than the cold itself.

## 3. Failing to Protect Your Plumbing

Frozen pipes can turn a temporary power outage into an expensive home repair.

When water freezes inside a pipe, the resulting expansion and pressure can cause the pipe to rupture.

Sometimes the damage isn’t obvious until temperatures rise, the ice melts, and water begins flowing through the damaged section.

By then, extensive flooding may already be occurring.

### Know which pipes are vulnerable

Plumbing located in exterior walls, unheated garages, attics, and crawlspaces is particularly susceptible to freezing.

During an extended outage, even pipes that normally benefit from household heating may become vulnerable.

Before severe winter weather arrives, consider these precautions:

• – Insulate exposed pipes with appropriate pipe sleeves.
• – Disconnect garden hoses and protect outdoor faucets.
• – Properly winterize irrigation systems.
• – Identify plumbing in poorly insulated or unheated areas.
• – Learn where your home’s main water shutoff valve is located.

During an outage, opening cabinet doors beneath sinks on exterior walls may allow remaining indoor warmth to circulate around the plumbing.

Allowing vulnerable faucets to drip can sometimes reduce freezing risk, but it isn’t a guarantee. Follow local water conservation advisories.

### Know how to shut off your water

Every homeowner should know where the main water shutoff valve is located and how to operate it.

If a pipe bursts, shutting off the water quickly can significantly reduce damage.

If indoor temperatures are approaching freezing and you cannot maintain heat, shutting off the main supply and properly draining vulnerable plumbing may be necessary.

However, turning off the water alone does not empty the pipes.

Water heaters, fire sprinkler systems, and different plumbing configurations can require additional precautions. Consult a qualified plumber before an emergency if you’re unsure how to protect your system.

### What if a pipe has already frozen?

Little or no water coming from a faucet may indicate a frozen pipe.

If you suspect freezing, consider shutting off the main water supply to limit potential flooding.

Never use a blowtorch or open flame to thaw pipes.

For accessible, undamaged pipes, gentle warming with warm towels may help. If you suspect a rupture or cannot locate the frozen section, contact a licensed plumber.

After water flow returns, carefully inspect the plumbing for leaks.

Some of the most expensive consequences of a winter power outage don’t appear until the storm is over.

## 4. Wasting Limited Backup Power

Having backup electricity is valuable, but that electricity is rarely unlimited.

Whether you own a portable generator, a solar battery system, or a portable power station, you need to understand what your equipment can realistically support.

### Prioritize essential equipment

Start by identifying which devices are necessary and which can wait.

Equipment supporting critical medical needs should receive priority, with an appropriate contingency plan for interruptions.

Communication devices also matter. Keeping a phone charged and maintaining access to an emergency radio may be more important than operating a television or unnecessary lighting.

### Understand how much electricity heaters consume

Electric space heaters can draw substantial power.

Consider a typical 1,500-watt heater.

Running that heater for two hours consumes:

1,500 watts × 2 hours = 3,000 watt-hours, or 3 kWh.

That’s more electricity than many smaller portable power stations can store.

During winter storms, recharging can also be difficult.

Short daylight hours, cloud cover, and snow accumulation may significantly reduce solar production. Don’t assume your batteries will recharge fully every day.

### Manage generator fuel carefully

If you’re using a fuel-powered generator, consider scheduling its operation around essential activities when practical.

You might run it to recharge batteries or operate necessary appliances rather than leaving it running continuously for nonessential loads.

Of course, equipment requiring uninterrupted electricity must be accounted for.

Fuel availability is another consideration. Roads may become impassable, and gas stations may lose electricity.

Before a winter emergency, learn your generator’s fuel consumption at different loads and estimate how long your available fuel supply will last.

The same principle applies to battery systems: understand usable capacity, expected equipment runtime, and recharge limitations.

Maintain a reserve for essential needs rather than waiting until your batteries or fuel are nearly exhausted.

## 5. Underestimating Extreme Cold

Cold weather can be dangerous because its effects aren’t always immediately obvious.

Someone may initially feel uncomfortable but believe they can tolerate the cold for another hour or two.

Unfortunately, prolonged exposure can impair judgment and make it harder to recognize when the situation is becoming dangerous.

### Recognize hypothermia

Hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, causing core body temperature to fall dangerously low.

Early warning signs can include shivering, fatigue, and difficulty coordinating movements.

As hypothermia progresses, symptoms may include confusion, slurred speech, and extreme drowsiness. A person may eventually stop shivering, which can be particularly concerning.

Hypothermia doesn’t require temperatures below freezing. It can occur in relatively cool conditions, particularly when someone is wet or exposed for an extended period.

Suspected hypothermia requires prompt action, and serious symptoms warrant emergency medical assistance.

### Watch for frostbite

Frostbite is another danger, particularly when venturing outside during freezing temperatures.

Fingers, toes, ears, and noses are especially vulnerable.

Warning signs include numbness, unusually pale or waxy-looking skin, and loss of sensation.

Seek shelter and appropriate medical care if frostbite is suspected. Avoid rubbing affected areas or exposing them to direct, intense heat.

### Avoid unnecessary physical exertion

Winter outages often create additional physical demands.

You may need to shovel snow, carry firewood, move equipment, or prepare a generator.

Strenuous activity in extreme cold can place additional stress on the cardiovascular system.

Heavy snow shoveling is especially demanding, particularly for people who are already exhausted or unaccustomed to that level of activity.

Take breaks, avoid overexertion, and postpone tasks that aren’t immediately necessary.

### Dress in layers—and avoid sweating

Wearing multiple layers allows you to adjust your insulation as your activity level changes.

If you’re shoveling snow or cutting firewood, you may begin overheating and sweating.

That moisture can accelerate heat loss when you stop working.

Remove an outer or insulating layer before overheating, then put it back on as your activity level decreases.

Moisture-wicking fabrics, including wool and appropriate synthetics, generally perform better in cold, damp conditions than cotton, which tends to retain moisture.

The objective is to remain warm without soaking your clothing with sweat.

### Know when it’s time to leave

Perhaps the most important decision is recognizing when your home is no longer safe.

If indoor temperatures continue falling, you have no reliable source of heat, and you cannot keep everyone safely warm, consider relocating to a friend or family member’s home or another safe location.

Ideally, make that decision before road conditions deteriorate.

Traveling during a winter storm introduces additional dangers. If travel is unsafe, contact local emergency services for assistance rather than risking exposure or becoming stranded.

Preparedness includes knowing when staying home is no longer the safest choice.

## Final Thoughts: Prepare Before the Power Goes Out

Winter power outages can happen with little warning, and the consequences can extend far beyond a few uncomfortable hours without electricity.

But many of the mistakes we’ve discussed can be avoided through planning, preparation, and a basic understanding of the equipment you rely on.

Learn how to heat your home safely, protect your plumbing, conserve backup electricity, and recognize the warning signs of dangerous cold exposure.

Most importantly, don’t wait until the middle of a winter storm to discover that your emergency heater doesn’t work, your generator is out of fuel, or you don’t know where your main water shutoff valve is located.

A little preparation beforehand can make a tremendous difference when the electricity goes out.

Have you experienced an extended winter power outage? What’s one lesson you learned that could help someone else prepare?

Share your experiences in the comments.

And as always, Stay Safe Out There!!