Guide
When the power goes out
Ice storms snap power lines, and a winter outage can last days. The dangers are the cold, the food in the fridge, and the fixes that bring carbon monoxide poisoning and fires: a generator in the garage, an oven left on for heat.
The rules that matter
Generators outside, 20 feet away
Run generators and fuel outdoors only, at least 20 feet from windows, doors and attached garages, and install working carbon monoxide detectors on every level of the home. Carbon monoxide has no color and no smell.
Keep the generator dry, and connect appliances with heavy-duty extension cords.
Never heat with the stove or oven
A gas stove or oven used for heat raises the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, and of fires and burns.
Space heaters: 3 feet, and off at night
Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from any heat source, and turn space heaters off when you leave the room or go to bed.
Keep the fridge and freezer shut
A closed refrigerator keeps food cold for about four hours; a full freezer holds its temperature for about 48. Use coolers with ice if you need to, check with a thermometer, and throw out food at 40 °F or warmer.
Medicines and medical devices
Have a plan for refrigerated medicines and for power-dependent medical devices before the storm.
Unplug electronics
Disconnect appliances and electronics: power can come back with surges that damage them.
Before the next storm: insulate, keep pipes from freezing, and test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms with battery backups (ready.gov, winter weather). Under a warning now? See winter storm warnings.
What to have ready
A carbon monoxide alarm first, then power and heat that do not need the grid. The full list, from water to lights, is in the storm prep kit.
- Find it on Amazon ↗
First, with any fuel-burning equipment
Carbon monoxide alarm with battery backup
One on every level of the house (ready.gov). The first thing to buy before running a generator or any fuel-burning heater.
- Find it on Amazon ↗
Power indoors, no exhaust
Jackery Explorer 1000 v2
About 1 kWh: a phone for weeks, a fan through the night, or a fridge for some hours. Recharges from a wall, a car or solar.
- Find it on Amazon ↗
Heat while the power is on
Electric space heater with tip-over and overheat shut-off
For one warm room while the power is on. Keep anything that can burn 3 feet away, and turn it off when you leave the room or go to bed (U.S. Fire Administration).
- Find it on Amazon ↗
Warm without heat
Cold-weather sleeping bag
Keeps a person warm through a night without heat, with no fuel and no fumes.
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