Ulster County
Winter Watch
2008-2009
AVOIDING A CRISIS:
Preventative measures and
important information for
keeping your family safe and
warm this winter season.
Hypothermia kills 600 people
nationally each year – more
than half are 65 and older.
Watch out for your elderly
relatives and neighbors.
Save $$$ and Energy
• Consider buying a programmable
thermostat to automatically lower the
temperature at night or when no one
is at home.
• Open blinds during the day to allow
sunlight in, close them at night for added
insulation. Consider insulated drapery.
• Keep vents & radiators free of obstructions.
• Install storm windows or seal with plastic.
• Keep warm air in and cold air out by
adding insulation, caulking and weather
stripping around doors and windows.
• Reverse the direction of ceiling fans.
• Lower the temperature of your water
heater; wrap it in a specially designed
insulated blanket.
Maintenance
• Call your heating company NOW to
schedule seasonal preventative maintenance
on your central heating system.
• Change the filter in your forced hot air
heating system at least once a month.
• Bleed air trapped in a hot water system at
least once a year. If you are not sure how
to do this, contact a professional.
• Contact a professional to inspect and
clean chimneys and flues before each
heating season. Creosote build up in
wood burning appliances is a serious fire
hazard.
Consumer Tips
Full service heating companies provide
maintenance on your central heating
equipment and deliver fuel. Delivery-only
companies may be cheaper, but they may not
maintain your system if it breaks down.
Budget billing plans spread the cost of fuel out
over several payments. Make certain you know
if the option you are choosing guarantees a
locked in price if the cost of fuel goes down as
well as up. Be certain of the financial stability
of the company – if they go out of business,
you could lose your money.
Automatic delivery ensures you will not run
out of fuel. Delivery schedules are calculated
based on degree days.
If you are not on automatic delivery, for
example if you are a cash on delivery
customer, make sure you check your tank often
and order fuel when the gauge reads ¼ full. Do
NOT let your tank run out of oil. This will
cause air in the lines which will need to be
removed before using the furnace again.
An energy audit is a smart way to determine if
your home is energy efficient. If you hire a
contractor to perform an energy audit, make
sure they are qualified and reputable.
Additional information may be found at:
US Department of Energy
NYS Energy Research & Development
Safety Tips
Alternative fuel appliances
• Never use flammable liquids to start
a fire in your fireplace.
• Keep a screen around any open
fireplace.
• Make sure the damper is open and
keep it open until ashes are cool.
• Store ashes in a fire proof container
with a lid; keep it outdoors and
away from combustibles.
• Space heaters should only be used
on hard, level, noncombustible
surfaces. Keep heaters at least 3 feet
away from combustible materials.
• Keep children and pets away from
space heaters.
• Never use an extension cord to
power electric space heaters.
• Never use a gas stove for heating.
• Never use a charcoal grill indoors.
• Know if your local fire and building
codes allow the use of kerosene
heaters and outdoor wood furnaces.
• If you are using a portable kerosene
heater, make sure fresh air is
introduced into the home.
Have a smoke detector and carbon
monoxide detector on each level of your
home and outside all sleeping areas. Change
the batteries at least twice a year.
Remember, carbon monoxide is colorless
and odorless. The symptoms of carbon
monoxide poisoning include dizziness,
sleepiness and headaches.
Heating and cooling account
for 50-70% of the energy used
in the typical American home.
Ulster County Winter Watch
2008-2009
go to:
Look for future advisories regarding
• Transportation
• Housing
• Utilities
• Food
• Early response system
• Neighbor helping neighbor
Resources
“Need Help Finding Help?”
Dial 2-1-1
For Information on Available Resources
Ulster County
Home Energy Assistance Program –
HEAP
334-5436
Nutritional Program
334-5200
Office for Aging
340-3456
Family of Woodstock
338-2370/255-8801/647-2443
United Way of Ulster County
331-4199
American Red Cross
338-7020
Local Churches/Faith Based Groups
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