Preparing for Extreme Cold

When the temperature drops and wind chills fall, it’s much easier to prevent problems than to react to them. This guide walks you through what to do before extreme cold hits, including tips for people with disabilities.

1. Understand Your Local Winter Risk

• Know how common extended cold periods are in your region
• Pay attention to:
• Weather forecasts
• Extreme cold warnings
• Local news and alert apps
• When extreme cold is forecast, plan to stay inside and minimize outdoor exposure as much as possible

2. Build a Winter-Ready Home

• Insulate and reduce drafts
• Seal drafts around windows and doors using:
• Weatherstripping
• Towels, blankets, or draft stoppers
• Close curtains or blinds at night to hold in heat
• Use heating equipment safely
• Have your furnace, wood stove, and fireplace inspected and maintained regularly
• Install and test:
• Smoke detectors near bedrooms
• Carbon monoxide detectors near sleeping areas and fuel burning appliances
• Never use:
• A stove or oven to heat your home
• Outdoor grills or generators indoors or in the garages
• Protect your pipes
• Insulate any pipes or water lines that may be exposed to the cold
• Learn how to shut off the water to your home in case a pipe bursts
• In very cold conditions, let hot water drip slowly from faucets to help prevent pipes from freezing 

3. Winter Specific Supplies to Keep on Hand

• Aim to keep these items stocked and easy to reach:
• Water and ready-to-eat food that require little or no cooking
• Extra blankets and warm bedding
• Winter clothing for everyone:
  • Warm socks
  • Winter boots
  • Gloved or mittens
  • Heavy jackets or coats
  • Toques
• Flashlights and battery powered lanterns
• Extra batteries
• A manual can opener
• Snow shovel and rock salt (or sand) for steps and walkways
• An alternate heat source (used safely) such as:
  • A properly rated electrical space heater (plugged directly into the wall, not a power bar)

Extreme Cold Preparation for People with Disabilities

If you or someone in your household has a disability or relies on mobility or medical devices, extreme cold can add extra challenges. Planning ahead can reduce risk and stress.

Stay warm

• Dress in layers of loose-fitting clothing including a hat, gloves, and a scarf
• Keep blankets or a sleeping bag ready in case you lose power or heat

Make your home as efficient as possible

• Reduce drafts around windows and doors
• Keep one "warm room" prepared with blankets, extra clothing, any accessible devices that you need close at hand

Use heating equipment safely

• Have any heating devices (space heaters, fireplaces, wood stoves) inspected regularly
• Never use a stove or oven to heat your home

Prepare an emergency kit

• Include:
  • Non-perishable food and water
  • Medications (with a list of doses and prescribing doctors)
  • A first aid kit
  • A flashlight or lantern
  • Any necessary mobility devices:
    • Cane, walker, crutches, wheelchair
  • Backup supplies related to your disability 

Protect your medical equipment

• If you use equipment that needs electricity (power chairs, home monitors, etc.):
  • Ask your provider about battery backups
  • Consider a generator or portable battery, and learn how to use it safely
  • Register with your utility provider if they have priority reconnection list for medical needs 

Keep key information handy

• A list of emergency phone numbers
• Essential documents stores in one place:
  • Medical records
  • Medication list
  • Doctor and pharmacy contacts

Stay informed

• Follow local weather advisories and instructions from emergency services
• If evacuation is ever advised, consider transportation needs for mobility devices and any support people