Cold and heating failure – staying warm, heating safely
A power cut in winter, a broken boiler, an energy shortage – suddenly your home stays cold. With a plan you can still stay warm and safe.
Staying warm without heating
- For a short time, warm clothing and blankets are the simplest solution, according to the Austrian Ministry of the Interior.
- Sleeping bags help indoors too – the BBK counts them as part of the emergency bag.
Heating safely
Kerosene or bottled-gas heaters, tiled stoves and fireplaces can help. Important:
- Only use appliances that are approved for indoor use and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
- Carbon monoxide has no smell, colour or taste – and there are no typical warning signs. Gas grills, charcoal and camping stoves meant for outdoor use must never be used inside.
- The BBK recommends a carbon monoxide alarm.
After heavy snowfall
Check whether flat roofs can carry the weight of the snow. Only clear them if it is safe. If a roof might collapse, call the fire brigade.
Recognising hypothermia
At first: shivering, fast breathing, the person is restless but awake. Later: slow breathing, stiff muscles, tiredness up to unconsciousness.
- Call the emergency number – 144 in Austria, 112 in Germany.
- Bring the person somewhere warm, remove wet clothing, wrap them in warm blankets.
- If the person is awake: warm, sweetened drinks without alcohol.
- Warm them up slowly – no hot-water bottle, no rubbing.
- If the person becomes drowsy or stiff: stop trying to warm them, cover them, check their breathing.
Frostbite
Fingers, toes, nose, ears and cheeks are most often affected. The skin turns bluish-red at first, later whitish-yellow or grey-white. Cover loosely with a sterile dressing, warm gently with body heat, do not burst blisters – and do not rub. If hypothermia and frostbite occur together, the hypothermia comes first.