Congregational Care of Vulnerable People in Cold Weather

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Special Note

The recent ice storm covering the midwest has brought new meaning to home and congregational emergency preparation. News accounts from the past week include stories of people dying of hypothermia, running out of oxygen supplies and being injured in from falling.

Power outages in winter are also complicated by cold temperatures and danger of winter emergencies includes higher risk for home fires from candles and unsafe fireplaces, carbon monoxide poisoning from generators and outdoor heating appliances brought into unventilated areas and used. 

Suggestions for ways that congregations can help are found below. Warning about carbon monoxide poisoning that can be printed in newsletter, bulletins and around buildings are provided below in English, Spanish and Korean.

Warning in English

A high number of power outages has caused many individuals to use alternative heating sources, increasing the possibility for exposure to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.

Items such as portable generators, propane gas stoves andovens heated with gasoline all have been used as heat sources indoors which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Do not use these items to heat your home.

If you experience symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning — headache, nausea, vomiting and fatigue — seek immediate medical attention.
Get familiar with your local poison control center and make a record of their hotline number — before an emergency! 

Warning in Spanish

Un alto número de apagones ha provocado que muchos residentes estén usando fuentes alternativas de calefacción, aumentando la posibilidad de exposición a niveles peligrosos de monóxido de carbono.

Artículos tales como generadores portátiles, estufas que queman gas propano, hornos que se calientan con gasolina, todos han sido usados como fuentes de calefacción en espacios interiores, lo cual puede llevar a la intoxicación con monóxido de carbono.  No use estos artículos para calentar su hogar.

Si usted tiene síntomas de intoxicación con monóxido de carbono — dolor de cabeza, náuseas, vómitos y cansancio — busque atención médica inmediatamente. Familiarizarse con el centro de control de envenenamiento local y hacer un registro de su línea caliente — antes de una emergencia!

Warning in Korean

영국
 A 최상에 의하여의 힘 정전은 많은 것에게 가 일산화탄소의 위험한 수준에 노출을 위해 가능성을 증가하는 양자택일 열원을 사용하는 원인이 되었다.
휴대용 발전기 프로판 가스 스토브, 오븐과 같은 품목은 모두가 일산화탄소 중독에 지도할 수 있는, 열원으로 실내에 사용된 가솔린으로 가열했다. 당신의 가정을 가열하기 위하여 이 품목을 이용하지 말라.
당신이 일산화탄소 중독의 증후를 경험하는 경우에 - 두통, 구역질, 구토 및 피로 - 즉시 의료 처치를 찾으십시오.
당신의 현지 독 조정 센터와 친밀하게 되고 그들의 직통 전화선을 - 비상사태의 앞에 - 적어 두십시오!

Caring for people in cold weather

Extremely cold weather makes life more difficult for people who are vulnerable because of chronic health conditions, people who are on fixed incomes, frail people, poor people who live in housing that is drafty and poorly insulated and homeless people and animals who live out doors.

If you know someone in one of the categories listed above, as a minimum, check on him/her routinely during the harsh weather.  Check on him/her in person since someone might hesitate to reveal her/his situation.

Here are some suggestions for congregational care groups or individuals who wish help:

1. Provide ride services for people who typically walk or use public transportation that might require a long wait in the cold.
2. Organize groups to go to homes and clear walks and outdoor steps of ice and snow. Be certain that areas around church buildings are clear as well.
3. Rising energy costs will cause some people who are on fixed incomes to try to conserve heat and keep energy bills lower.  Use of alternative heating such as space heaters and fireplaces can increase risk of fire.  Evaluate the safety of space heaters and arrange for professional assessment of fireplaces - this can prevent injury or death.
4. Help those who are eligible for energy assistance submit applications by providing transportation or by letting them know that such programs are available.
5. If you have a visitation team, try to make certain everyone you visit gets a hot meal.
6. Help people who have mobility issues care for pets during extremely cold weather. This is a great way to involve young people in congregational care.
7. Assist with grocery shopping, trips to pharmacies and health care providers when travel is hazardous but make certain that drivers are skilled in navigating snow and ice covered roads and streets.
8. Stop by to visit folks who cannot engage in their typical social activities due to the inclement weather.
9. Open a winter clothing bank through the church for those who do not have adequate cold weather clothing.

These just may be a few among the many needs of your congregation and community.  Think about the individual needs of people you know and be creative as you show concern for others.