DOS
December 21, 2022
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CONSUMER ALERT: NYS DIVISION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION WARNS NEW YORKERS ABOUT DANGERS OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING, FIRE HAZARDS AND STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES IN THE UPCOMING WINTER WEATHER |
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Secretary Robert J. Rodriguez, “The Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection urges New Yorkers to take proper safety precautions while using candles and space heaters, install fire and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries in your alarms on an annual basis to help decrease the risk of fire hazards in your home.” Consumers Must Pay Careful Attention to Carbon Monoxide and Fire Safety The NYS Division of Consumer Protection Offers Tips to Help New Yorkers Stay Safe and Healthy During Upcoming Winter Months The New York State Division of Consumer Protection today alerted consumers of the dangers of fire hazards, carbon monoxide poisoning and performing strenuous outside activities in the upcoming cold weather. As the winter months approach and the temperatures drop, consumers may turn to dangerous heating alternatives to stay warm. Propane heaters, generators and space heaters all pose lethal risks of carbon monoxide poisoning and fire hazards when used improperly. As strong winter storms continue to hit the United States, consumers need to exercise caution to stay safe and healthy during snow cleanup activities. “Taking preventative action is your best defense against dealing with extreme cold weather,” said Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez. “The Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection urges New Yorkers to take proper safety precautions while using candles and space heaters, install fire and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries in your alarms on an annual basis to help decrease the risk of fire hazards in your home.” Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Daniel W. Tietz said, “In addition to providing assistance to help cover home heating costs, the Home Energy Assistance Program can help with getting heating equipment cleaned and serviced so it is safe and operating at peak efficiency, and even cover the cost of repairing or replacing faulty heating equipment. These services are vital to helping New Yorkers stay safe and warm through the harsh winter months. Anyone in need of this assistance should apply as soon as possible.” The New York State Division of Consumer Protection offers the following tips to keep families safe and warm this winter: When temperatures plummet, home heating systems may run constantly and the potential for CO poisoning increases. During and after dangerous weather, using alternative sources of power can also cause CO to build up in the home. Carbon-Monoxide Dangers and Safety Tips:
Colder temperatures also increase the risk of fire hazards. Home fires can happen at any time, but they generally increase during the fall and winter, with December and January being the peak months. Winter Home Heating & Fire Safety Tips:
New York’s Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) can help eligible New Yorkers heat their homes. The program provides up to $1,126 to eligible homeowners and renters depending on income, household size and how they heat their home. Administered by the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, applications for HEAP are accepted at local departments of social services in person or by telephone, with funding provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Residents outside of New York City may also?apply online?for regular heating assistance benefits. New York City residents can obtain program information?online and download an application. To qualify for benefits, a family of four may have a maximum gross monthly income of $5,485, or an annual gross income of $65,829. For households facing no-heat situations due to non-working heating equipment, OTDA is also accepting applications for its heating equipment repair or replacement benefit. Eligible homeowners can apply for up to $4,000 for repairs or $8,000 for replacement of a furnace, boiler or other direct heating equipment necessary to keep the household's primary heating source working. Additionally, eligible households can receive energy efficiency services, which include the cleaning of primary heating equipment to allow for safe and efficient operation. Interested households can apply with their local HEAP contact. As the recent historic storm in Buffalo showed, snow and winter storms can be dangerous and even deadly. Snow shoveling can contribute to a number of health risks for many people, from back injuries to heart attacks. New Yorkers must exercise caution when doing snow or ice cleanup as the strenuous activity can be dangerous for vulnerable individuals. The following tips can help keep you safer when you set out to shovel:
Additional resources are offered through the NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control’s Carbon Monoxide Virtual Toolbox and the through the NYS Department of Health Cold Weather Tips page here. About the New York State Division of Consumer Protection The New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides resources and education materials to consumers on product safety, as well as voluntary mediation services between consumers and businesses. The Consumer Assistance Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection. For more consumer protection tips, follow the Division on social media at Twitter: @NYSConsumer and Facebook: www.facebook.com/nysconsumer.
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