BRUNSWICK

As freezing temperatures continue to fall, public safety officials and local organizations remind residents about tips and available services to help keep everyone safe and warm this winter.

The National Weather Service’s office in Gray today predicted a high near only 5 degrees, but with wind chill values as low as -25. Low temperatures tonight were expected to be -10. The freezing temperatures were expected to continue through the weekend.

Even for hearty Mainers, these conditions can be challenging and dangerous.

Many children have been stuck inside during their school vacation week. Sabrina Murphy, executive director of the Bath Y, said that the cold temperatures have led many people to seek out warmth at the Y.

“The kids that might have been playing outside for snow time, for vacation — they’re coming in here to play,” she said Wednesday. “It’s not a day to sled. It’s a day to play basketball and go swimming at the Y.”

The Teen Center in Brunswick is usually closed for school breaks, but the number of teens looking for a snack and a warm place to gather may trigger a change to that policy.

The frigid weather has kept Tedford Housing staff on its toes.

“We certainly are concerned and have had conversations yesterday and today regarding at least one person we believe is living in a forest area here in downtown Brunswick, so we’re trying to connect with that person,” said Executive Director Craig Phillips.

The Gathering Place daytime drop-in center at 5 Tenney Way, off Union Street, hosts an average of 80 people through the course of a day. It provides a place where people can get out of the cold and enjoy a cup of coffee and walk next door to the Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program for a hot meal six days a week.

It was business as usual Wednesday, said Executive Director Mary Connolly. However, a few guests who sleep outside were seeking help getting warmer items such as gloves, blankets and hand warmers.

“Hopefully a lot of them will be able to find shelter,” she said.

With new Saturday hours 8:30-11:30 a.m., The Gathering Place tries to meet the demand for the space. But it can’t provide overnight shelter, Connolly said, given the many rules and regulations involved.

Phillips said Tedford Housing’s Cumberland Street shelter will try to offer a chair or couch for those needing shelter. It may not be a permanent location, “but at least during these very cold nights we can get people out of the elements.”

Anyone who has a family member or friend who may need emergency shelter can call Phillips at (207) 729-1161, ext. 102.

The circumstances have raised discussion about how well prepared or equipped the Brunswick community is to handle extreme temperatures, Phillips said. There is only so much room at Tedford’s shelters, and there are no overflow shelters.

Heating fuel woes

In October, the U.S. Energy Information Administration forecast that average household expenditures for all major home heating fuels will rise this winter because of expected colder weather and higher energy costs.

According to a Nov. 29 press release issued by the Governor’s Energy Office, “Maine prices for heating oil, kerosene, and propane have climbed 20 percent, 11.7 percent, and 12 percent respectively since late August, prices which are 20 percent, 20 percent, and 13.4 percent higher respectively than they were at this time last year.”

Fortunately, many Midcoast communities have their own heating assistance funds. Tedford Housing’s Warm Thy Neighbor is a privately funded program that helps qualified residents with emergency home heating assistance who live in Brunswick, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Topsham, Harpswell, Lisbon and Durham. It is a last resort for those who are down to a quarter of a tank or less.

Phillips said the program is in full swing. Those in need can call (207) 729-1161, ext. 115. Tedford Housing will call to schedule a time to sit down, usually within a day or two. People can also call 211 to inquire about eligibility for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and other services.

He also encouraged people to take inventory of their heating fuel and not to wait until the last second.

Stacy Frizzle is the executive director of People Plus, an organization for the elderly in Brunswick. She recently helped three older community members with oil deliveries, advocating on their behalf to secure a smaller, more affordable delivery.

“Some oil companies don’t like to deliver if the delivery is under 100 gallons,” she said.

She also reminded people of the organization’s Volunteer Transportation Network. According to Frizzle, the network of 40 volunteer drivers provide rides for the elderly in the area. In the winter, about 400 people use the network.

Safe homes

Brunswick Fire Chief Ken Brillant is warning residents to be safe when trying to keep warm at home.

The last couple days the fire department has responded to a handful of calls for a smell of gas. With propane heating systems, this happens when the tanks are empty or near empty. Brillant suggests every household be equipped with at least one carbon monoxide detector during winter.

Brillant said people should be checking their levels of heating fuel, but also their heating units. Furnaces are running hard and oil burners can get flooded, back up and eject soot.

And when it gets really cold, people start to find secondary means of heat to take the chill off, including space heaters. Don’t use them unattended however.

“If you’re using an electric space heater, you should always be present in the room when it’s being used and if not, shut it off and unplug it,” he said.

People will also use fireplaces and wood stoves that haven’t been used in a long time so extra caution should be exercised. Burn dry wood, Brillant said, and not pressure treated lumber or other inappropriate burning material.

After four or five days of really cold weather, pipes begin to freeze and often go undetected until temperatures warm and a leak is sprung. Those who have had frozen pipes in the past should check problem areas to make sure there is water flow. He warned against using open flame devices to thaw frozen pipes, which can lead to fires.

Lastly, Brillant said, people should resist warming up their cars in the garage, even with the door open.

Staff reporters Nathan Strout and Chris Quattrucci contributed to this report.

dmoore@timesrecord.com