Heating a home through a New England February is expensive, and the cost lands hardest on people with the least room in their budgets: older adults on fixed incomes, families juggling rent and childcare, and anyone who has recently lost work. When money is tight, people sometimes turn the thermostat down too far or reach for unsafe ways to stay warm.
Neighbors cannot fix utility bills, but they can share good information, notice when someone is struggling and help them find assistance. This guide covers the safety basics and the main places to look for help.
Safety first: the basics everyone should know
Most home heating dangers come down to fire and carbon monoxide. Share these common-sense rules widely:
- Carbon monoxide alarms: every home with fuel-burning appliances or an attached garage should have working CO alarms, generally on each level and near sleeping areas. Test them and replace batteries as the manufacturer recommends.
- Never heat with an oven, stove or grill. Gas ovens and charcoal or propane grills can produce deadly carbon monoxide indoors.
- Generators stay outside, far from windows, doors and vents, never in a garage or basement.
- Space heaters need space. Keep anything that can burn, such as curtains, bedding and furniture, at least three feet away. Plug heaters directly into a wall outlet, not an extension cord, and turn them off when leaving the room or going to sleep.
- Clear outside vents. After snowstorms, make sure furnace, boiler and dryer vents are not blocked by drifts.
- Know the warning signs of CO exposure: headache, dizziness, nausea and confusion, especially if several people in the home feel sick at once. Get everyone outside to fresh air and call 911.
Signs a neighbor may be struggling to stay warm
People rarely announce that they cannot afford heat. Gentle attention can reveal it:
- Wearing coats, hats or gloves indoors.
- Windows covered in frost on the inside, or heavy plastic and blankets over doors.
- Mentions of running out of oil or propane, or of a shutoff notice.
- Space heaters running constantly, or an oven door left open.
- Staying in bed or in one room all day to keep warm.
If you notice these signs, start with a friendly, private conversation. Something like “This cold has been brutal. Is your heat keeping up?” opens the door without embarrassment.
Where to look for heating assistance
Programs and rules differ by state and change from year to year, so always confirm details directly. Common starting points include:
- Home energy assistance (often called fuel assistance). A federally funded program helps eligible households pay heating costs. In Massachusetts and many other states, people usually apply through a local community action agency. Applications can take time, so encourage people to apply as early as possible.
- The utility company. Many utilities offer payment plans, discount rates for income-eligible customers and protections for certain households in winter. A phone call to customer service is worth making before a bill becomes overwhelming.
- 2-1-1. In many states, including Massachusetts, dialing 2-1-1 connects people with information about local services, including emergency heating help.
- Local councils on aging and senior centers often help older adults with applications.
- Houses of worship and community groups sometimes keep small emergency funds or know who does.
- Weatherization programs may help eligible households with insulation and air sealing that lower bills for years.
How to help someone apply
Applications can feel daunting, especially for people who are older, new to the country or not comfortable online. Ways to help without taking over:
- Offer to sit with them while they make the phone call or fill out forms.
- Help gather documents an application might ask for, such as identification, recent bills and proof of income. Ask the agency for its list.
- Write down names, dates and confirmation numbers from each call.
- Offer a ride to an appointment if one is needed.
- Respect privacy. Financial details are theirs to share, not yours.
Low-cost ways to hold onto heat
Small changes can make a home feel warmer while help is on the way:
- Open curtains on sunny days and close them at night.
- Use draft stoppers or rolled towels at the bottoms of doors.
- Close doors to unused rooms, if the heating system allows it safely.
- Layer clothing, wear warm socks and use extra blankets on beds.
- Apply clear window insulation film, which is inexpensive and sold at hardware stores.
A neighborhood “weatherization afternoon,” where a few handy volunteers help neighbors install window film and door sweeps, can be a meaningful winter project.
Make a neighborhood heating help sheet
One of the most useful things a block association, tenant group or faith community can do is create a one-page handout with local resources. Include the phone number for your area’s community action agency, the utility’s customer service line, 2-1-1, the local council on aging, warming center information and the safety basics above. Print copies for lobbies, laundromats and community boards, and update it each fall.
When it is an emergency
If someone has no heat during dangerous cold, or seems confused, very drowsy or unusually cold to the touch, do not wait. Call 911. Many communities also open warming centers during extreme cold; check your city or town’s website or call 2-1-1 for locations.
Quick check: Which of these is a safe way to use a space heater?
- Plugging it into a power strip behind the couch
- Plugging it directly into a wall outlet and keeping flammable items at least three feet away
- Leaving it running overnight next to the bed
Show answer
B. A direct wall connection and plenty of clearance are basic fire-safety rules for space heaters.
