OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) - — Elderly home owners across the metro are getting life-saving home safety checks as winter weather approaches.
Project Houseworks, a local nonprofit, is working with local HVAC companies to conduct free furnace checks.
It's a part of their Warm The Metro event.
It takes place during the month of October, and with the help of participating companies Project Houseworks will help more than 100 elderly home owners.
The furnace checks are meant to ensure the units are in good condition and safe to use.
Program manager Sara Zivny says their goal is make sure the people they serve have a working heater before the weather gets too cold.
They visited Lena Solomon's home earlier this week and found cracks in her unit.
"There is the danger of carbon monoxide, which she [Lena] would never know, and [it] is a health risk to her, and our main mission at Project Houseworks is to keep them living in a safe and healthy home," Zivny said.
We caught up with Lena who tells us the nonprofit has completed several home service jobs for her in the past.
Solomon says she had no idea her furnace wasn't in good shape.
"I just thank God that the carbon monoxide didn't come out,I'm glad that they did it," Solomon said.
Zivny tells us they also work with local supply companies who'll provide donations for the furnace, to those who need it.
Zivny also says, the nonprofit is in need of both monetary and physical donations, so they can continue serving the seniors who need it most, for free.
For more information about Project Houseworks, visit, https://projecthouseworks.org/what-we-do/
