For Immediate Release

Friday, Jan. 22, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

*Joint Press Release* Bridgewater Police and Fire and East Bridgewater Police Offer Snow Safety Tips In Anticipation of Weekend Storm

BRIDGEWATER — With the Winter Storm Jonas scheduled to hit southern Massachusetts this weekend, the Bridgewater Police and Fire Departments, along with the East Bridgewater Police Department, remind residents to follow several safety procedures to ensure they are prepared during and after the inclement weather.

“Although it is unclear if this storm will result in significant snow accumulations, as last year demonstrated, we should be prepared for other storms in the future,” Bridgewater Police Chief Christopher Delmonte said. “Stay inside and off the roads during the brunt of the storm, and if possible, assist elderly neighbors with snow removal and cleanup.”

Police and fire offer the following tips:

• Never use your oven as a heat source.
• Do not use electric or space heaters while sleeping.
• Place electric or space heaters at least three feet away from bedding or combustible materials.
• Keep stocks of batteries on hand for radios and flashlights in case of a power outage.
• Never leave candles unattended.
• Make sure phones, laptops and other communication devices are charged.
• Beware of carbon monoxide and stay safe by never warming up your car in the garage, servicing your heating system at least once per year, and making sure you have working carbon monoxide detectors in your home.
• Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, and change batteries twice per year. Make sure smoke detectors are working on every floor of your home.
• Reserve calling 911 for emergencies only.

“Check all your devices, especially smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms, to ensure they are working properly before the storm this weekend,” East Bridgewater Police Chief John Cowan said. “If you have an emergency, immediately dial 911.”

Residents should also remember not to park on the streets, especially overnight, to allow plows to clear routes.

After the snow falls, you can help the Bridgewater Fire Department by shoveling out your nearest fire hydrants. Also make sure that your home or business sidewalks are properly shoveled, and place salt or ice melt to prevent people from falling.

“In an emergency situation, cleared walkways and fire hydrants are key to ensure a swift and effective response by firefighters,” Bridgewater Fire Chief George Rogers said. “Once the snow ceases, be proactive by cleaning up your sidewalks early.”

If roads become impassable by debris or snow, notify the police and highway departments, which will be out to ensure roads remain open at all time.

When shoveling, or walking outside for more than a few minutes, dress appropriately, with exposed skin covered, and wear a hat and gloves. Frostbite can strike quickly when temperatures are this low. Do what you can to avoid getting wet and take frequent breaks.

ALWAYS clear the tailpipe of a vehicle that is buried in snow BEFORE you start or warm up the vehicle. Failure to do so can be fatal for those inside the vehicle.

Utilities in Town

Electricity: National Grid 508-897-5500

Contact National Grid for all power outages. Bridgewater and East Bridgewater do not control power outage restoration.

To avoid frozen pipes, allow warm water to drip overnight in faucets, ideally from a faucet that is on exterior wall. You may also want to leave cabinet doors open to allow heat to reach pipes that are not insulated.

Emergency numbers

Call 911, a direct line to the police department and fire/EMS, for emergencies only. All other questions or concerns should be reported to the Bridgewater Police Department’s business line, 508-697-6118, the Bridgewater Fire Department’s business line, 508-697-0900, the Bridgewater Highway Department’s business line, 508-697-0931, or the East Bridgewater Police Department at 508-378-7223.

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