How to stay warm without heating: clothing and home tips

Clothing and warmth in a crisis: a practical guide

⏱ 2 min read

How to dress and stay warm without heating. A guide based on official advice. The same text is in the free SurvivalZone.app and works without internet.

Open in the app (works offline)

What to have

Blankets and sleeping bags for everyone at home.
Warm clothes: thermal underwear, a fleece or wool jumper, hat, gloves and warm socks.
A waterproof jacket and comfortable waterproof shoes.
An emergency foil blanket in every go bag.

Dress in layers

Base layer wicks sweat away: thermal or wool, not cotton.
Mid layer keeps you warm: fleece or wool.
Outer layer protects from wind and rain.
If you start sweating, take a layer off before you get damp. Wet clothes chill you.

A home without heating

Gather in one, smallest room and close the door.
Hang blankets over windows and seal gaps under doors with towels.
Have warm drinks and eat regularly. Your body needs energy to stay warm.
Sleep in hats and sleeping bags, close together.

Watch out

Never heat your home with a gas oven, barbecue or camping stove. It risks carbon monoxide poisoning and fire.
Shivering, confusion and drowsiness in someone who is cold are signs of hypothermia. Warm them up and call for help.

Frequently asked questions

How should I dress when there is no heating?

In layers: thermal or wool base layer, a fleece or jumper, and a windproof outer layer. A hat and warm socks help a lot.

How can I keep my home warm without power?

Gather in one small room, cover the windows with blankets and seal the door. Never use a gas oven or barbecue indoors.

How do I recognise hypothermia?

Intense shivering, confusion, slurred speech and drowsiness. Warm the person, give a warm drink if they are conscious and call for help.

Keep it on your phone

SurvivalZone.app is a free app for every emergency, with no account and no app store. It works without internet and shows the nearest shelters and help points, local radio, a 72-hour plan and a mountain trip planner.

Open SurvivalZone.app

Thank you for reading. If this could help someone, send it to the people you care about. Getting ready takes a moment, and in a crisis every minute counts.

Coming soon: the app’s permanent address will be survivalzone.app.

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Sources

Official sources are checked automatically every day. Last check: 2026-11-08.

General guidance only; it does not replace the emergency services. If a life is in danger, call 112.