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Staying warm this winter
A warm house, a full propane tank and a cozy sweater make the cold months a pleasure. Here's how to keep it that way, all in one place.
Cold can sneak up on older adults: the changes that come with age can make it harder to notice the body is getting too cold. These tips come from the National Institute on Aging and the other sources listed at the bottom of the page.
Keep the house at 68 or warmer
- Set the heat to at least 68°F. The National Institute on Aging says even a mildly cool house, 60 to 65°F, can lead to hypothermia in older adults.
- Lay a rolled towel along the bottom of outside doors to stop drafts.
- Keep blinds and curtains closed, and seal gaps around windows with weather stripping or caulk. A handyman or someone from the hardware store can help.
- Have your furnace and chimney checked each year by a professional. Heating companies do this.
Dress warm, even at home
- Wear socks and slippers, and keep a throw blanket on your favorite chair.
- Loose layers are warmer than one heavy layer, because the air between them holds the heat.
- At bedtime, add an extra blanket, wear long underwear under your pajamas, and think about a soft cap for your head.
- Going out? A hat, scarf and gloves or mittens keep heat from slipping away through your head and hands. Change out of damp clothes as soon as you're back.
- Eat well and go easy on alcohol, which makes the body lose heat.
Keep the propane coming
- Check the gauge on your tank now and then, or ask your company about automatic delivery so they keep track for you. Propane companies that deliver here.
- If you order each delivery yourself, ask which days the truck is in your neighborhood, whether there's an extra charge for a trip off their regular route, and whether they give a discount for paying cash.
- Try not to let the tank run dry. If it does, a qualified professional has to check the whole system for leaks before the gas goes back on, and relight the pilot lights. Never turn the gas back on at the tank yourself.
- If you smell gas, which smells like rotten eggs, get everyone outside first, without flipping switches or using phones, and then call your propane company or 911.
A small electric heater as a backup
A small plug-in electric heater can warm the one room you're sitting in, stretch your propane further, or tide you over if the tank runs low before the truck arrives. Use it the safe way:
- Plug it straight into a wall outlet. Never use an extension cord or power strip, and never run the cord under a rug.
- Keep it at least 3 feet from beds, curtains, sofas, clothes and papers, on a steady, level spot where it can't be knocked over.
- Turn it off when you leave the room or go to bed.
- Keep it away from water, and don't touch it with wet hands.
- If the cord or plug gets hot, unplug it and have it checked.
- See whether your heater has been recalled at SaferProducts.gov.
- Never heat the house with the oven or stove top, or bring an outdoor grill inside.
Know the signs of getting too cold
Hypothermia means the body's temperature has dropped below 95°F. Early signs include cold hands and feet, a puffy face, pale skin, shivering, slow or slurred speech, and feeling sleepy, cranky or confused. It's a medical emergency: call 911, move the person somewhere warmer, offer a warm drink, and wrap them in dry blankets or coats.
Help with heating bills
- NACOG Human & Community Services in Prescott Valley may help households with low income with a one-time utility payment: 928-308-2988. It's listed with the propane companies.
- For the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, the national referral line is 866-674-6327.
- The Area Agency on Aging for northern Arizona can point you to other programs: 877-521-3500.
One more thing: on the coldest days, ask a neighbor, friend or family member to check in. It's a kindness both ways.
Sources, read November 3, 2026: National Institute on Aging, "Cold Weather Safety for Older Adults"; U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, "7 Highly Effective Portable Heater Safety Habits"; U.S. Fire Administration, "Heating Fire Safety"; Propane Education & Research Council, "Safety Guide for Propane Users"; Barrett Propane's propane safety page (outdoor grills); 211 Arizona for the NACOG office. This page is general safety information, not medical advice.