Winter Storms & Extreme Cold

Winter storms bring power outages, dangerous cold, carbon monoxide poisoning from unsafe heating, and heart attacks from shoveling.

• Families

Before winter

• Have the furnace, chimney and fireplace inspected
• Insulate pipes in unheated areas; know where the water shutoff is
• Test smoke and CO alarms
• Stock your emergency kit with blankets, warm clothes, and food that doesn’t need cooking
• Winterize your vehicle and keep a kit in it (blankets, shovel, sand, jumper cables, snacks)

Staying warm safely

• Keep space heaters 3 feet from anything that can burn, and plug them directly into the wall.
• Never use ovens, grills, camp stoves or generators to heat indoors.
• Dress in layers; close off unused rooms.
• Check on older neighbors and anyone living alone.

Frozen pipes

• Let faucets drip during extreme cold, and open sink cabinet doors on outside walls.
• If a pipe freezes, thaw it with a hair dryer or warm towels, never an open flame.
• If a pipe bursts, shut off the main water valve right away.

Shoveling snow

Shoveling heavy snow is hard on the heart. Warm up first, push snow rather than lift it, take small loads and frequent breaks, and stop if you feel chest pain or shortness of breath. People with heart conditions should check with a doctor first. See How to Use a Shovel Safely.

For hypothermia and frostbite, see Cold Stress.

Last updated: October 1, 2026