Most healthy individuals will survive a few hours without heat provided they stay warm by donning extra layers of clothing or blankets but problems will arise if the outage is prolonged. If you don't have an alternative heat source to heat your home like a wood or gas fireplace, consider having one installed. A gas fireplace will keep the floor it's located on relatively warm. The alternative floors will be considerably cooler but not life threatening. If you don’t have another heat source, considering going somewhere else until the power returns.
Let the sun heat up the rooms in your house by leaving all curtains and blinds open during the day. To conserve the heat, close the curtains at night to keep it from escaping.
The Outdoor Ice Box
Food in your freezer or refrigerator can also spoil in the winter. If it’s the dead of winter, you can remove the contents, place them in bags or baskets, and store them in the garage to keep cold. Ensure that the garage is very cold and remember to put the perishables back in the house when the power returns.
Preventing Frozen Pipes
The longer you're without heat, the greater the chance that your pipes will freeze and burst. Turn your water on periodically to keep the pipes working. You will have some hot water in your water tank and it will stay hot for some time. Use your remaining hot water for this purpose. Use only a bit of hot water mixed with cold and run the water for a minute starting with any taps that are located on an outside wall. If your taps are prone to freezing shut the water off at the main valve and purge the remaining water from the system.
A prolonged power outage can occur at any time and for any reason. Preparing in advance for the worst-case scenario, will ensure that you and your family have everything you need to endure the longest blackout.