Ice Storm Safety When Living Alone

Ice storms can leave you trapped, without power, and cut off from help. When you live alone, preparation and a reliable check-in system are your best defenses against winter's most dangerous storms.

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Ice storms cause an average of 16 deaths per year in the United States, with hypothermia and carbon monoxide poisoning disproportionately affecting people who live alone.

The Challenge

Power outages during ice storms can last days, leaving you without heat, light, or the ability to charge your phone

Falling ice and glazed roads make it nearly impossible to leave your home or for help to reach you

No one may realize you are in trouble if pipes freeze, you lose heat, or you slip and fall on ice outside your home

How I'm Alive Helps

Set frequent check-ins with I'm Alive during ice storms so your contacts are alerted within hours if you become incapacitated

Prepare a winter storm kit in advance with heat sources, food, water, and backup phone charging so you can ride out multi-day outages

Automated alerts ensure someone acts fast even when roads are impassable and phone lines are overwhelmed

Preparing Your Home for an Ice Storm

Before an ice storm arrives, take steps to make your home survivable without power. Insulate exposed pipes with foam sleeves or towels, know where your water shut-off valve is in case pipes burst, and set your thermostat to at least 65 degrees so your home starts warm. Stock up on non-perishable food that requires no cooking, fill bathtubs and large containers with water, and charge all devices fully. A battery-powered or hand-crank radio is essential for weather updates when the internet goes down. Gather your emergency supplies in one accessible location: flashlights with extra batteries, warm blankets or a sleeping bag rated for cold temperatures, hand and foot warmers, a first aid kit, any medications you need for at least a week, and a portable phone charger or power bank. If you use a generator, position it outside and away from windows and doors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Never use a gas stove, oven, or charcoal grill for heating.

Staying Safe During and After the Storm

Once the ice storm hits, stay indoors unless absolutely necessary. If you must go outside, wear shoes with good traction, take small shuffling steps, and avoid walking under trees or power lines where ice-laden branches may fall without warning. Spread salt or sand on walkways and steps. If you fall and cannot get up, call for help immediately. If you live alone and no one is nearby, your I'm Alive check-in ensures someone will be alerted if you do not respond. After the storm passes, hazards remain for days. Black ice on roads and walkways is invisible and extremely dangerous. Downed power lines may be hidden under ice or fallen branches and can be live. Report them but never approach them. Check your pipes by running each faucet briefly. If nothing comes out, a pipe may be frozen. Apply gentle heat with a hair dryer or warm towels but never use an open flame. If a pipe bursts, shut off the water main immediately and call a plumber.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long can an ice storm leave me without power?

Ice storms can cause power outages lasting anywhere from a few hours to over a week, depending on the severity and how many lines are down. In major ice storms, rural and suburban areas may wait longest for restoration. Plan for at least 72 hours without power, and consider a longer timeline if you live in a less populated area.

What is the biggest danger of an ice storm when living alone?

Hypothermia from prolonged cold exposure in an unheated home is the greatest risk. Your body temperature can drop dangerously low while you sleep, and confusion from hypothermia can prevent you from recognizing the danger. Carbon monoxide poisoning from improper use of generators or heating devices is the second leading cause of ice storm deaths.

How do I prevent pipes from freezing during an ice storm?

Let faucets drip slowly to keep water moving through pipes. Open cabinet doors under sinks to let warm air circulate around pipes. Keep your thermostat set to the same temperature day and night. If you lose power, shut off the main water supply and drain the system by opening all faucets to prevent burst pipes.

How does I'm Alive help during ice storms?

Set a check-in every few hours during an ice storm. If hypothermia, a fall on ice, or carbon monoxide exposure incapacitates you, your missed check-in triggers automatic alerts to your emergency contacts. They can then contact local emergency services on your behalf, even if roads are impassable.

How do I safely remove ice from my walkway and car when living alone?

Apply salt or sand to walkways before the storm and reapply after freezing rain. Use a long-handled ice scraper for your car to avoid overreaching and losing balance. Wear shoes with non-slip soles and take small, deliberate steps on icy surfaces. Never pour boiling water on ice as it can refreeze into an even slicker surface. If conditions are severe, consider staying inside until the ice melts rather than risking a fall with no one to help you. Set your I'm Alive check-in before going outside so your contacts are on alert.