Tips for Handling Heat Emergencies at Your Dad’s House

If your dad’s heating system has issues, how long would it be before you found out? As winter moves in, you need to be concerned that he’s warm enough.

In some areas, technicians who can fix furnaces and boilers are in short supply. A frozen regulator on a propane tank will stop his heating system running, but a technician may not be available for a week or two. Propane and heating oil deliveries may be slower than usual due to a shortage of drivers.

If there is a heat emergency, what do you do? Here are some of the best ways to handle things.

Invest in Electric Space Heaters

In a pinch, a space heater can warm a room enough to last him until a technician comes out. Some of the more energy-efficient options include infrared and ceramic heaters. They’re also safer than a kerosene space heater that produces carbon monoxide.

Features to look at include automatic shut-off if the heater is bumped or tipped over. Models with timers are great if your dad is likely to forget to shut it off when he goes to bed.

No matter which model you purchase, make sure he knows to keep it away from furniture, walls, and curtains. He needs to set it so that there is clearance of three feet or more from other items.

Move Him Elsewhere for Now

Move him into your home, a friend’s home, or a hotel until his heating system is working aging. He’ll be safe and warm, which gives you peace of mind. If he has pets, this may be harder to manage. He’d have to be okay leaving them behind or putting them in a kennel if you cannot find pet-friendly accommodations.

Push the Company

When it comes to the elderly being cold, you may have a bit more sway with the company that services your dad’s heating system. Make sure they know the system belongs to an elderly person who lives alone. It may get a technician to his home faster. Be prepared to pay higher rates, however. Many technicians drastically raise prices if they have to adjust their schedule to fit in an emergency client.

Sometimes, you live too far away to check on your dad as often as you want. Have you looked into having caregivers help? Caregivers can stop by each day or once a week to check that your dad is warm enough. They can make sure he’s taking his medications, eating and drinking enough, and getting to his appointments on time. Home care services give long-distance caregivers the peace of mind they need.