Extreme Cold Awareness
Winter weather can bring storms that can be dangerous due to the very cold temperatures, power failures, loss of communication services, and icy roads. Please see below for some tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) on how to prepare for winter storms and keep you and your family safe.
Indoor Safety Guidelines
- To stay warm in case the power goes out, make sure you have extra blankets, sleeping bags, and warm winter coats.
- Never leave space heaters unattended, and turn them off when you leave the room, leave home, or go to bed. Space heaters should be placed on the floor, at least three feet away from flammable materials such as blankets, curtains, and newspapers. Plug them directly into a wall outlet instead of into an extension cord.
- Never use gas stoves or ovens to heat your home, because it can lead to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide, causing severe illness or even death.
- Use battery-powered flashlights or lanterns rather than candles, if possible. Candles can cause house fires if left unattended.
- If you lose power or heat, submit a work ticket using MyNYCHA or by calling the CCC at 718-707-7771.
Protecting Vulnerable Populations (Children and the Elderly)
- Children younger than one year old should never sleep in a cold room because they loose body heat more easily than adults.
- Dress babies in warmer clothing such as footed pajamas, one-piece wearable blankets, or sleep sacks.
- If you’re not able to keep your home warm, make temporary arrangements to stay elsewhere.
- In an emergency, you can keep your baby warm using your own body heat. If you must sleep, take precautions to prevent rolling on or smothering your baby.
- Older adults often make less body heat because of a slower metabolism and less physical activity.
- Check on older friends and neighbors.
- If you are over 65 years of age, check the temperature in your home often during extremely cold weather.
Warming Centers for NYCHA Residents
If your building loses heat for an extended time, the outdoor temperature is low, and repairs are estimated to take a long time, NYCHA may open a local warming center. You can go spend time at the warming center if your apartment feels too cold. If a warming center opens for your building, you will be notified via a robocall and a flyer telling you the location of the center. You can also sign up for Notify NYC to get emergency alerts from the City.
Safety Guidelines for the Outdoors
When you and your family need to go outside in cold temperatures, the CDC recommends making these trips brief. Also, you should wear:
- A hat
- A scarf or knit mask to cover your face and mouth
- Sleeves that are snug at the wrist
- Mittens (they are warmer than gloves)
- Water-resistant coat and boots
- Several layers of loose-fitting clothing
- Dry clothes (wet clothing chills the body quickly)
Preparing for a Winter Storm or Extreme Cold
- Make sure your household disaster plan is ready and all members of your household are familiar with how to contact one another in an emergency.
- Do not forget the needs of pets and service animals when severe weather strikes. Learn more here.
- Winterize your Go Bag by adding a blanket, warm socks, and gloves.
- Your emergency supply kit should be fully stocked to allow you to sustain yourself for up to seven days without power. You may wish to include additional items such as extra blankets, additional warm clothing, and a battery-operated radio to monitor weather conditions during a storm.
- Listen to the radio or television news or visit nyc.gov/severeweather for weather updates.
If you have questions about this or any environmental health and safety matter, please email ehs@nycha.nyc.gov. Residents, employees, and any member of the public can submit environmental health and safety concerns at on.nyc.gov/submit-concern.
For more information on winter safety preparedness, please visit: