The cold may be unsafe for occupants
Very low indoor temperature, prolonged loss of heat, or signs of hypothermia require a warm location and urgent health or building response.
Why this result fits
- Someone is shivering intensely, confused, exhausted, fumbling, slurring speech, or unusually drowsy.
- A baby, older adult, or medically vulnerable person is in a very cold apartment.
- Heat is unavailable and the apartment cannot be kept safely warm.
What to do now
Move to warmth
Go to a heated room, trusted location, warming center, or other safe indoor place.
Respond to symptoms
Hypothermia is a medical emergency. Seek emergency care for a body temperature below 95°F or concerning symptoms.
Use emergency maintenance
Report complete heat loss, measured indoor temperature, vulnerable occupants, and any equipment warnings.
Use safe warming methods
Add dry layers and blankets. Follow current medical guidance; do not give alcohol.
Stop and escalate if
- Anyone has confusion, slurred speech, severe drowsiness, fainting, or a temperature below 95°F.
- There is a gas odor, CO alarm, smoke, sparking, or burning odor.
- No safe warm location is available.
What not to do
- Do not use an oven, grill, camp stove, or unvented combustion appliance for heat.
- Do not overload outlets or use damaged extension cords.
- Do not ignore a carbon-monoxide alarm.
Message you can send to maintenance
Urgent: the apartment is approximately [temperature]°F at [time], and heat has been unavailable since [time]. [Vulnerable occupants/symptoms] are present. We are moving to a warmer location and need an urgent response.
Help prevent a repeat
- Identify a nearby warm location before severe weather.
- Keep alarms functional and emergency contacts accessible.
If this does not match
Sources and review date
- Preventing Hypothermia — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Safety Guidelines During and After a Winter Storm — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Content last reviewed: under the Apartmentwise methodology.