What to do when the heat fails in a cold snap

Check the thermostat, furnace switch, and breaker only if there is no smell of gas, smoke, or other danger. If a carbon-monoxide alarm sounds, leave and call emergency services. Do not use an oven, grill, or outdoor heater indoors. Open cabinet doors below sinks on exterior walls, let faucets drip if appropriate, and know where the main water shutoff is. Keep children, older adults, and pets warm elsewhere if the outage will last. Call for emergency HVAC help and describe the fuel type, symptoms, and indoor temperature. A temporary space heater should sit on a hard surface with clear space around it and should plug directly into the wall.