Hints for coping with the freeze

When you see a homeless person sleeping in the street or find yourself huddled beside a space heater in the bitter cold, here are a few things to keep in mind:

You can get help for the street person during a city- designated Code Blue by calling the city's outreach hot line at 215-232-1984.

Some homeless resist and police need a court order, designed to aid the mentally ill, to take them to shelters, according to a police official.

As for that space heater, the Fire Department provides these safety tips:

* Space heaters should be at least 3 feet from curtains, bedding, and furniture and not block walkways. They should be turned off at night and extra blankets used.

* Electric heaters should be plugged directly into the wall, or a proper capacity extension cord must be used.

* Leave a window slightly open, especially for kerosene heaters.

"The burning of any fossil fuel inside a closed environment will fill the area with carbon monoxide," a deadly colorless, odorless gas, said Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers.

And remember, it is illegal in Philadelphia, and highly dangerous, to use propane heaters indoors.

Help with winter energy bills may be obtained through the Low Income Energy Assistance Program. LIHEAP applications are available at PGW and Peco Energy district offices, the Mayor's Office of Community Services, senior centers, fuel dealers and public-welfare offices. Crisis grants for emergency heating payments can be sought at 215-686-2590. *