Last updated: July 27, 2026 Get emergency help first. Leave the home and call 911, the gas company, electric utility, fire department, or local emergency office if you smell gas, see sparks or smoke, hear a carbon monoxide alarm, have raw sewage inside, face active flooding, or believe a floor, wall, roof, or ceiling may … Read more
Last updated: July 28, 2026 Do not use unsafe stairs or a slippery tub while waiting for funding. If someone cannot safely reach a bedroom, bathroom, or exit, ask a doctor, occupational therapist, hospital discharge planner, Area Agency on Aging, or local fire department about a temporary safety plan. Call 911 when a fall, injury, … Read more
Last updated: July 28, 2026 Get emergency help before waiting for a repair program Leave the home and call 911 if there is fire, a gas smell, exposed live wiring, a collapsing roof or floor, sewage in living space, or another immediate danger. Call the utility emergency line for a gas leak, downed power line, … Read more
Last updated: July 28, 2026 Leave first if the home is unsafe. If you smell gas, hear arcing, see sparks or a downed line, have a carbon monoxide alarm, or feel sick around a fuel-burning appliance, leave the area and call 911 or the utility emergency number from outside. Do not wait for an energy … Read more
Last updated: July 28, 2026 Unsafe right now? Weatherization is not an emergency response program. If you smell gas, see fire or sparking wires, suspect carbon monoxide, or someone is in immediate danger from heat or cold, leave the unsafe area and call 911 or the utility emergency number first. For a shutoff, broken furnace, … Read more
Last updated: July 27, 2026 Bottom Line: A permit is usually required when a repair changes the structure, electrical system, plumbing, gas, heating or cooling system, fire safety, or legal use of a home. Paint, flooring, cabinets, and other surface-only work often do not need one. The final answer comes from the building department for … Read more
Last updated: July 28, 2026 Do not start work just because a program appears on this list. Most fortification programs deny payment for work started before written approval. A free inspection, account, interest form, or lottery entry is not a grant award. Bottom line: Real wind, hail, hurricane, and wildfire fortification help exists, but there … Read more
Last updated: July 28, 2026 If the home is unsafe right now Do not wait for a repair application if there is fire, smoke, a gas smell, exposed live wiring, a carbon monoxide alarm, sewage inside the home, major flooding near electricity, or a ceiling or floor that may collapse. Leave the unsafe area and … Read more
Last updated: July 28, 2026 Handle immediate danger first If you smell gas, see sparks, hear a carbon monoxide alarm, have floodwater near electricity, see a ceiling or floor starting to collapse, or feel threatened by a worker at your door, move to a safe place. Call 911 or the utility emergency number. Verification can … Read more
Last updated: July 28, 2026 Handle danger before rebate paperwork. Leave the home and call 911 or the gas utility from outside if you smell gas. Leave and seek emergency help if a carbon monoxide alarm sounds or anyone has headache, dizziness, vomiting, confusion, chest pain, or trouble breathing. See the CDC carbon monoxide guide. … Read more