Right now
Stay inside. Stay warm.
Do not drive unless absolutely necessary. If the power goes out, close off unused rooms and layer clothing. Frostbite can develop in minutes on exposed skin.
Where you are right now
Your situation determines what you do
If you are at home
Stay inside. If the power goes out, close off rooms you are not using to conserve heat. Layer clothing: several thin layers trap more warmth than one heavy layer. If you have a fireplace or wood stove, use it carefully. Never use a gas oven or stove for heating. If you use an electric space heater, keep it at least three feet from anything that can burn, plug it directly into a wall outlet and never into a power strip or extension cord, and turn it off when you leave the room or go to sleep. Space heaters cause most deaths from home heating fires. Keep a battery-powered radio for weather updates.
If you must drive
Tell someone your route and expected arrival time. Keep your gas tank at least half full. Carry a blanket, water, snacks, a flashlight, and a phone charger. If you get stuck, stay in the vehicle. Run the engine for 10 minutes each hour for heat, but crack a downwind window slightly and make sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked by snow.
If the power goes out
Keep freezers and refrigerators closed. A full freezer holds safe temperatures for roughly 48 hours. Use flashlights, not candles. If you use a generator, run it outdoors only, at least 20 feet from any window or door. Carbon monoxide is odorless and lethal.
If someone shows signs of hypothermia
Symptoms include shivering, confusion, slurred speech, drowsiness, and loss of coordination. Move the person to a warm room. Remove any wet clothing. Warm the center of the body first: chest, neck, head, and groin. Use blankets, skin-to-skin contact, or warm (not hot) beverages if the person is conscious. Call 911 right away if the person is confused, drowsy, or slurring words; hypothermia at that stage is a medical emergency.
After the immediate danger
What to do next
Watch for frostbite
Numbness, white or gray skin, and firmness in fingers, toes, ears, or nose. Do not rub frostbitten skin. Warm the area gently with body heat or warm (not hot) water. Seek medical attention.
Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning
Never use a generator, grill, camp stove, or charcoal indoors. Carbon monoxide is odorless. If you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or nauseated, get to fresh air immediately and call 911.
Check on neighbors
Elderly people, young children, and people living alone are at the greatest risk during extended cold. Check on them, especially if the power is out.
Conserve supplies
If the storm is expected to last several days, ration food and water. Eat regularly to maintain body heat. Avoid alcohol, which accelerates heat loss.
Sources: Ready.gov Winter Weather, NWS Winter Preparedness, Ready.gov WinterReady Campaign, CDC Hypothermia and Frostbite Prevention, NOAA Winter Safety. All safety claims verified against primary sources. Last reviewed August 30, 2026.
This guide is not professional emergency management advice. It is a plain-language starting point for someone in an active hazard right now.