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Post Reply: How to Stay Warm During a Power Outage in a Blizzard

<blockquote><div class="quotetitle">Quote from <a class="profile-link highlight-admin" href="#">Michael McStay</a> on February 22, 2026, 8:07 pm</div>
<p><strong>How to Stay Warm During a Power Outage in a Blizzard</strong><br><em>Safety tips for Plymouth County &amp; South Shore residents</em></p>

<p>When a blizzard knocks out power, staying warm becomes more than a comfort issue — it’s a safety issue. With strong winter storms common along the South Shore (including Marshfield and the rest of Plymouth County), here’s a simple, practical guide you can follow at home.</p>

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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">🧥 1. Dress in layers — even indoors</h2>

<p>Don’t rely on just one heavy sweatshirt.</p>

<p>Use:</p>

<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Thermal or long-sleeve base layer</li>

<li>Hoodie or fleece</li>

<li>Winter coat or heavy jacket</li>

<li>Thick socks (two pairs if needed)</li>

<li>Hat and gloves</li>
</ul>

<p>👉 A lot of body heat is lost through your head and feet.</p>

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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">🚪 2. Close off rooms you don’t need</h2>

<p>Pick <strong>one main room</strong> to stay in.</p>

<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Close doors to bedrooms and unused rooms</li>

<li>Hang blankets or towels along the bottom of doors</li>

<li>Cover drafty windows with blankets or plastic</li>
</ul>

<p>This keeps the heat you <em>do</em> have trapped in one space.</p>

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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">🛋️ 3. Build a “warm zone” inside your house</h2>

<p>Set up a small area with:</p>

<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Couch or mattress on the floor</li>

<li>Blankets underneath you (important!)</li>

<li>More blankets on top</li>
</ul>

<p>👉 Cold comes up from the floor fast. Put a blanket, rug, or even cardboard underneath.</p>

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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">🔥 4. Never use unsafe heat sources indoors</h2>

<p>During blizzards, people get hurt every year from:</p>

<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Grills</li>

<li>Camp stoves</li>

<li>Fire pits</li>

<li>Running cars in garages</li>
</ul>

<p>These can cause deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.</p>

<p>Both and strongly warn: <strong>Only use heating devices that are approved for indoor use.</strong></p>

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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">🕯️ 5. Use candles carefully (light only, not heat)</h2>

<p>Candles can:</p>

<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Provide light</li>

<li>Help mentally (it <em>feels</em> warmer)</li>
</ul>

<p>But:</p>

<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>They do NOT heat a room safely</li>

<li>Keep them away from curtains and blankets</li>

<li>Never sleep with candles burning</li>
</ul>

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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">🍲 6. Eat and drink warm things if you can</h2>

<p>If you still have a safe way to heat food:</p>

<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Soup</li>

<li>Tea</li>

<li>Hot chocolate</li>

<li>Oatmeal</li>
</ul>

<p>Warm food helps your body stay warm from the inside.</p>

<p>Even without heat, eating regular meals helps your body keep producing warmth.</p>

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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">🧍 7. Stay together</h2>

<p>If you live with other people:</p>

<p>Stay in the same room.</p>

<p>Your combined body heat actually makes a difference in a closed space.</p>

<p>If you’re alone, stay bundled and avoid moving from room to room.</p>

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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">🐶 8. Bring pets inside your warm area</h2>

<p>Pets get cold fast too.</p>

<p>Let them sleep with you or in your warm zone — it helps both you and them.</p>

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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">🔋 9. Save phone battery for emergencies</h2>

<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Turn on low-power mode</li>

<li>Lower screen brightness</li>

<li>Close apps you aren’t using</li>
</ul>

<p>Use your phone mainly for:</p>

<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>emergency alerts</li>

<li>checking restoration updates</li>
</ul>

<p>For storm alerts and warnings in Massachusetts, follow the .</p>

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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">🛏️ 10. The safest way to sleep during a cold outage</h2>

<p>Before bed:</p>

<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Put on fresh dry clothes</li>

<li>Wear socks and a hat</li>

<li>Use multiple thin blankets instead of one heavy one</li>
</ul>

<p>If you have a sleeping bag, use it — they hold heat better than normal blankets.</p>

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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">⚠️ Important warning signs of cold stress</h2>

<p>If someone has:</p>

<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>uncontrollable shivering</li>

<li>confusion</li>

<li>slurred speech</li>

<li>extreme tiredness</li>
</ul>

<p>That can be early hypothermia.</p>

<p>Get them warmer immediately and seek help if needed.</p>

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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">✔️ Quick Blizzard Power-Outage Warmth Checklist</h2>

<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>✅ One room only</li>

<li>✅ Layers + hat + socks</li>

<li>✅ Blankets under and over you</li>

<li>✅ No grills or stoves indoors</li>

<li>✅ Warm food if possible</li>

<li>✅ Phones on low power</li>
</ul>

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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Local reminder for Plymouth County</h3>

<p>Blizzards along the coast can bring <strong>heavy wet snow and strong wind</strong>, which often leads to longer outages than expected. Plan as if you may be without power overnight — or longer.</p>
</blockquote><br>

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