To the comment,

<<Is cold really a reason not to light outside?  I mean, we all bundle
up in our coats and manage to make it to the car, and then from the
parking lot to work - does it take that much more time to go outside,
place your already-prepared menorah in its box, and light the candles?
I mean, cold can make it difficult, but sakanah?  This is not quite
like sleeping in the sukkah, where there exists a much more
significant concern.>>

part of an answer given was

< While sitting with the nerot may not be formally a part of the 
mitzvah, it's certainly part of hiddur mitzvah and common minhag, and 
an opportunity for chinuch; the "experience" of yiddishkeit that RMB 
praises in another context.  This would be lost if one bundled up, 
took the nerot outside to light them, and then went back inside.  Or 
at least I'd feel that way.>

     However, the prime function of ner Chanukah, which is pirsumei 
nissa, is intended for those _outside_ one's home, not for those 
inside. Thus, the z'man is ad shetichle regel min hashuk. There is no 
indication that "lirosam bilvad" is anything more than r'shus.

EMT