Stay Warm Without Power After Helene

WNC -- October 13, 2024: Asheville Police Department shared the following tips to stay warm without power after

Helene.

𝗟𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗨𝗽: Wear multiple layers of clothing, including thermal undergarments, sweaters, and socks. Don’t forget a warm hat!

𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀: Wrap yourself in blankets, sleeping bags, or anything warm you can find. Layering blankets can provide extra insulation. 

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝗺: Choose a smaller room to heat with body warmth. Close off doors to keep the heat in. 

𝗦𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁𝘀: Use towels or clothing to block drafts from windows and doors. This will help keep the warmth in.

𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗨𝗽 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗛𝗼𝘁 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀: If you have a way to heat water, enjoy hot drinks like tea, coffee, or hot chocolate to stay warm from the inside. 

𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱: Keep your blood circulating by moving around gently. Do some light exercises to stay warm. 

𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝘇𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲: Gather in one area with family or friends. Body heat from being together can help keep everyone warm. 

𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆-𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀: If you have a battery-operated heater or heating pad, use it carefully to warm small areas. 

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱: Keep a battery-powered radio or your phone charged for updates on the power restoration and weather. 

 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗼: 

𝗔𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱 𝗨𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿𝘀: Never use gas-powered generators inside your home or garage due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. 

𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗙𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀: Avoid using candles or other open flames for light or heat, as they can pose a fire hazard. 

𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳: While it’s important to stay warm, don’t bundle up so tightly that you risk overheating or restricting circulation. 

𝗔𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱 𝗔𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗵𝗼𝗹: While it might seem like a good idea to drink alcohol for warmth, it can actually lower your body and dehydrate you.

𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀: Do not use stoves (gas & electric), camp stoves or charcoal grills indoors, all of which produce carbon monoxide, a deadly odorless gas.

Next article: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Assessing Infrastructure,  Helene Recovery UpdatesNext