A Public Service Blog: Ways to Get Warm During the Deep Freeze of 2026
We’ve written about how to stay warm in prior blogs. Still, with the latest blasts of Arctic air, we think putting out our ideas is the equivalent of a public service announcement to family and friends who are going stir-crazy inside or feel they might turn into an icicle, which we each see out our windows.
Here are 16 suggestions; share yours.
1. Layer up indoors. We dress in an underlayer of tights and tops, some from Uniqlo, which offers a very high-tech warm line, including socks. On top of this, we add warm pants and a sweater—even that Christmas one you hate, but it is extremely warm--and on top of that, a fleece or even a jacket. If we feel the need to get a bit fancy, we pull out our warmest cashmere socks we got for special occasions.
2. Set your temperature a little higher, but remember it takes time for the degrees to inch up. Ignore the bill that may send you into cardiac arrest; the heat may save your life or prevent you from getting sick.
3. Use a space heater in a room near your feet to warm up your lower extremities if you still feel cold. This will increase the costs of your bill, but again, this is an emergency!
4. Layer up even more to head outdoors. Pile on the garments such as a sweater and maybe a zip up hoodie or sweatshirt—your warmest boots with treads so you won’t slip if an icy patch, a long puffer coat, hat that covers your ears and head, warm gloves or maybe two pairs of gloves, maybe one or two pairs of wool socks and even a mask to ward off the wind.
5. It may be too late to add insulation to a home but consider it at some point if you don’t have enough in an attic, basement or walls.
6. Wrap pipes, close curtains, bring down blinds or shades, also to keep cold air out.
7. Build a fire if you have a log-burning fireplace or turn on a gas one or a wood burning stove. An electric fireplace, in some instances, now emits heat. In any case, the glow might make you feel warmer.
8. At night, pile on the blankets, comforter and don those flannel pjs you bought to go on a camping trip and ignore how you look.
9. Check that pipes don’t freeze by running a small stream of water in sinks, a tub, the shower and flushing the toilet periodically.
10. Cook warm soups, stews, roasts and drink hot tea, coffee, hot cocoa and red wine or brandy!
11. Don’t go out unless you must. With Uber and other similar services, most anything can be delivered—prescription meds, groceries, more warm blankets and even puzzles or other games.
12. Think about spring; it’s 48 days away. Post photos on your refrigerator or near a computer of your favorite beach, gardens and flowers. Read trashy beach novels about romances by the shore. Watch movies with a Hawaiian or Southern California destination. Deflect from the cold. Doing so might make you feel a tiny bit happier.
13. Invite neighbors over for a hall party (if you live in an apartment building, this is so convenient) so you don’t feel so socially isolated or schedule phone calls with friends who live out of town, because when you’re stuck inside, it’s a great time to chat.
14. With schools and businesses closed, stay home and do inside tasks that you might avoid otherwise, like start your taxes, clean out drawers and the refrigerator, the oven or start the novel you’ve always thought about writing, now that you have some time to burn on your hands.
15. Donate warm goods so that those less fortunate have coats and blankets or even space heaters, and if you do go out, bring warm items, water and food to pass out to the homeless.
16. Check on neighbors, especially those who are older and maybe can’t get out at all for fear of falling or turning into an ice sculpture. Ask if they need anything.
Yes, it’s frigid outside, but the good news is that this too shall pass. Soon we’ll be complaining that it’s soooo hot outside, although right now that sounds really appealing.