FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, March 13, 2017

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

Melrose Police Department Offers Snow Safety Tips For Winter Storm Stella

MELROSE — Police Chief Michael Lyle reports that due to Winter Storm Stella, several city buildings will be closed tomorrow. The Melrose Police Department would also like to remind residents of several important snow related safety tips.

“We certainly want to make sure everyone stays safe tomorrow,” Chief Lyle said. “We are urging residents to remain off the roads so the plows can do their job effectively. If you don’t have to be outside, please stay home.”

Closures and cancellations:

• City Hall will be closed on March 14. City Hall operations will be moved to the City Yard Storm Center
• All Melrose Public Schools will be closed on March 14.
• A city-wide on-street parking ban will go into effect at noon on March 14. This ban will apply to both commercial and residential areas.
• Trash and Recycling curbside collection will not take place on March 14. Collection routes will take place on Wednesday, March 15.
• All municipal meetings scheduled for the evening of March 14, including the School Committee, are cancelled.
• The Melrose Public Library, Milano Senior Center and Wyoming Cemetery will be closed on March 14.

Melrose Police Department safety tips:

• Never use the oven as a heat source.
• Do not use electric or space heaters while sleeping.
• Place electric or space heaters at least 3 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.
• ALWAYS clear the tailpipe of a vehicle that is buried in snow BEFORE you start or warm up the vehicle to prevent exposure to carbon monoxide. Failure to do so can be fatal for those inside the vehicle.
• 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.

After the snow falls, you can help the Melrose 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.

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 low. Do what you can to avoid getting wet and take frequent breaks.

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 times.

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 Melrose Police Department’s business line, 781-665-1212.

To report a power outage, call the National Grid Customer Service Line at 1-800-322-3223, or the Outage Reporting Line at 1-800-465-1212. For all questions or problems regarding snow, please call the Melrose Public Works Department at 781-665-0142.

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