Take steps to ensure safety, warmth this winter

[...] when the greater Houston area experiences a strong cold front or freezing rain, local emergency rooms have come to expect a number of patients who have fallen on slick surfaces or are experiencing hypothermia.

The body's ability to maintain normal internal body temperatures decreases as people age.

Hypothermia in seniors can be caused by poorly heated homes, which is the reason Reliant Energy developed the Community Assistance from Reliant Energy (CARE) program, which works with local nonprofit social service agencies to provide extra funds to customers who qualify for assistance with their electricity bill.

Customers who meet the agency criteria receive a one-time annual donation, funded by corporate contributions and customer donations, to help pay for electricity during difficult times.

"For this reason, we recommend carbon monoxide detectors be installed in each home, mainly because a build-up of carbon monoxide in the home results in carbon monoxide poisoning," he said.

Galveston offers a Senior Fire Busters Program, which provides smoke detectors at no charge.

Use caution with electric blankets or heating pads - the controls may be difficult to operate if the temperature needs adjustment at night.

Keep anything that can burn at least three feet way from heating equipment, such as the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, open fires or portable space heater.

Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer's instructions.