During severe winter storms, home heating system could be inoperative for as long as several days. To minimize discomfort and possible health problems during this time, conserve body heat by dressing warmly. Find or improvise an alternative heat source, like a fireplace or electric space heater and confine heating to a single room. Keep safety a foremost consideration. While chances of freezing to death in home are small, there is a greater danger of death by fire, lack of oxygen or carbon monoxide poisoning. To increase efficiency of available heat, close off all rooms accept the one to be heated. If using a vented stove or space heater, select a room with a stove or chimney flue.

How to select room for heating
Confine emergency heat to a small area and try to select a room on the warm side of the house, away from prevailing winds. Avoid rooms with large windows. Interior bathrooms probably have the lowest air leakage and heat loss. Basement can be a warm place in cold weather because the earth acts as insulation and minimizes heat loss. Isolate the room from the rest of the house by keeping doors closed, hanging bedding or heavy drapes over entryways or by erecting temporary partitions of cardboard or plywood. Hang drapes, bedding or shower curtains over doors and window.
Think safety first
Safety is of extreme importance in a heating emergency. Do not burn anything larger than candles inside home without providing adequate ventilation to the outside. Any type of heater should be vented. Connect the stovepipe to a chimney flue if at all possible. An electric oven was not designed for space heating. Do not burn outdoor barbecue materials such as charcoal briquettes inside - even in a fireplace. Do not try to use bottled gas in natural gas appliances. Have one person watch for fire whenever alternative heat sources are used. One person should also stay awake to watch for fire and to make sure ventilation is adequate. If any person feels drowsy or has a headache, it may be a sign of inadequate ventilation. Keep firefighting materials on hand. These may include dry powder fire extinguishers, a tarp or heavy blanket, sand, salt, baking soda and water.

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