Heating Help

By Doug Geed

     It's only the first full day of winter and already, many Long Islanders have had it! Today's cold temperatures and frigid winds were too much to handle for many. Just imagine being in your own home with not enough heat.
  Unfortunately that's the situation some Long Islanders find themselves in. A woman in Freeport told me she keeps her oven on -- with the door open -- to help warm up her apartment. (A dangerous thing to do by the way.)

   There's a better way. If you live in an apartment and aren't getting enough heat, your village, town or county can help. If you live in Nassau, you can call 516-227-9715. If you're a tenant in western Suffolk, you can call 631-852-5900. If you rent an apartment in the town of Brookhaven or any of the 5 East End towns, you can call 631-852-5841.

   If you own your own home, run out of heating oil and simply cannot afford another delivery, you may qualify for an emergency delivery. For information in Nassau, call 516-227-7386. In Suffolk, 631-853-8825.

    And please keep an eye on your neighbors in this cold weather, especially senior citizens. They may be too proud to ask for help.