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barbtries

(31,283 posts) Sat Jan 24, 2026, 10:50 AM Jan 24

Question about staying warm [View all]

I'm in NC, where the storm approaches and power outages are expected that may last for days or even longer.

We will lose heat if this happens. So my question is: should we cover up doors and windowsills for this possibility? Will that help keep the heat inside?

I've never lived through an ice storm before.

46 replies

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Highlight:

Question about staying warm [View all] barbtries Jan 24 OP

Try to control drafts Turbineguy Jan 24 #1

I was going to post this and I haven't yet because I keep getting side-tracked with other things today Niagara Jan 24 #2

Maybe close off rooms you don't absolutely need to go in, and roll up some towels... 3catwoman3 Jan 24 #3

This is precisely what I was thinking we should maybe do. barbtries Jan 24 #9

Yes, justaprogressive Jan 24 #4

Get everything charged... MiHale Jan 24 #5

thanks. I'm doing my best to do all that. barbtries Jan 24 #10

Turn brightness down on phone screen to conserve power & turn auto brightness, bluetooth off SheltieLover Jan 24 #18

thank you Sheltie Lover! barbtries Jan 24 #23

Dig it out rfn! SheltieLover Jan 24 #26

On the High Plains of Texas markodochartaigh Jan 24 #6

THIS!!! 2naSalit Jan 24 #17

Yes! Trap body heat as best you can GreatGazoo Jan 25 #46

I would focus on places where you detect air leaks fargone Jan 24 #7

Thank you! barbtries Jan 24 #11

You will be fine. You are not in a cabin in the wilderness. You have central heat. Botany Jan 24 #8

not in NYC, barbtries Jan 24 #12

Try to run as little electric as you can so as not to strain the grid. Botany Jan 24 #13

I'll do that. barbtries Jan 24 #15

Nor are structures built for this in the South. Water lines are not buried below frost line. SheltieLover Jan 24 #22

Oh, remember to leave every faucet open to a small stream of water around the clock and markodochartaigh Jan 24 #14

thank you. barbtries Jan 24 #21

If you live in a home built on a crawl as so many are, cover vents with plastic bags SheltieLover Jan 24 #24

i don't know what a crawl is, barbtries Jan 24 #28

Yes crawl space SheltieLover Jan 24 #31

Just got a load of firewood this morning for the wood stove Bayard Jan 24 #16

Thank you. barbtries Jan 24 #20

News is saying this is biggest storm here since 1994 ice storm SheltieLover Jan 24 #25

wow. barbtries Jan 24 #27

I was very happily living in the Chgo burbs back then. SheltieLover Jan 24 #30

I remember that. I wasn't living there at that time, but I had relatives in Memphis. Laffy Kat Jan 25 #38

Hi Laffy! SheltieLover Jan 25 #39

I know, and I worry about you there, Sheltie. Laffy Kat Jan 25 #40

Thx Laffy SheltieLover Jan 25 #41

For some reason, power outages always hit our road, and nobody else's Bayard Jan 24 #29

Glad you have a generator for your fridge! SheltieLover Jan 24 #33

With windows... 2naSalit Jan 24 #19

My last days in Iowa... buzzycrumbhunger Jan 24 #32

ooh that's cool! barbtries Jan 24 #34

You can use anything to catch the heat, for example your largest soup pot or nonaa Jan 24 #35

Oh, Lordy! I'm old so I would just go to the closest warming center...if you have them. CTyankee Jan 24 #36

So it's Sunday morning now. barbtries Jan 25 #42

We sold our house and moved into a retirement community 3 months ago. We're pretty snug here and I'm glad. CTyankee Jan 25 #43

If you have a tent LogDog75 Jan 24 #37

Some Great Advice So Far ProfessorGAC Jan 25 #44

thanks. barbtries Jan 25 #45