High utility bills lead to disconnection notices and dangerous heating
Keep the Heat program seeing a 10 per cent rise in participation this year
As temperatures plummet the number of people looking for help paying their heating bills in Windsor-Essex continues to rise.
According to Housing Information Services, more than 1,300 households in the region are unable to pay their utility bills and many have received disconnection notices.
Anna Angelidis, executive director of charitable organization, said her office has seen a 10 per cent increase in the number of people who need help this year.
"That's over 4,000 people, including children and adults," she said. "A lot of people in the city and the county have accessed our program and have received some assistance."
Programs offered by community organizations such as Keep the Heat give financial assistance to people in the area with low incomes and can provide up to $500 dollars of support for each calendar year.
Angelidis said when the heat gets shut off some people turn to dangerous alternatives including opening oven doors or using propane heaters in their homes.
John Lee, the fire prevention officer for Windsor Fire and Rescue, said he has seen some households turn to hazardous heating.
"We've had some instances where people have tried to use propane heaters and that's an absolute no-go," he said. "It does give you elevated levels of carbon monoxide. You can't use them indoors, same as you can't use your barbecue indoors if it's a propane-powered barbecue."
When traditional heat sources aren't available Lee said people should use space heaters, but they too come with a caution — keep all flammable objects at least a metre away while heaters are in use.