From Staff Reports

SACO — The city’s emergency management director is urging residents to take preventative measures to ensure winter safety.

Emergency Management Director Steven Boucouvalas released a written statement last week stating the combination of above average snowfall and below average temperatures has resulted in “extremely dangerous conditions” which can result in injury or loss of life or property, and the public must take proactive measures.

Boucouvalas encourages residents to make sure all means of exit and entry into homes, including all windows and doors, as well as walkways, are shoveled out.

Boucouvalas also urges residents to make sure there is access to oil fill pipes, and that all oil vent pipes, natural gas regulators and propane tanks are clear of snow and ice buildup.

Keeping direct vent heating tubes, heat pumps, dryer vents and electric meters clear of snow is important for equipment to operate and vent properly, thus preventing risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Heart attacks are the number one killer in weather-related emergencies, and carbon monoxide poisoning is the second, said Boucouvalas.

“Running generators too close to your home or in your garage can be deadly,” said Boucouvalas.

The fire and code enforcement departments have issued a notice urging people to clear roofs of snow and ice.

“A roof may collapse with little or no warning, and one common misconception is that only flat roofs are susceptible to collapse,” said the notice. “High roof parapets can accumulate significant drifting snow, especially during wind events.”

Warning signs of roof collapse include visually deformed sagging roof steel, severe or new roof leaks, cracked or split wood members, bends or ripples in metal supports, recent cracks in walls, drywall or masonry; cracks in welds of steel construction, sheared off screws from steel frames, and sprinkler heads pushed down below ceiling tiles, according to the fire and code enforcement offices.