For Immediate Release

Thursday, March 2, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Boxborough Police Urge Residents to Use Caution During High Winds

BOXBOROUGH — Chief Warren B. Ryder is encouraging residents to use proper safety precautions today after the Boxborough Police Department received numerous reports of fallen tree limbs and power lines due to high winds.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a high wind warning, which remains in effect until 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 2.

“The safest place to be during any severe weather is always indoors,” Chief Ryder said. “We ask that all residents stay alert and consider the tips provided to ensure that everyone stays safe during these high winds.”

Boxborough Police would like to remind residents of the following safety tips from the NWS:

If you are caught outside during high winds:

• Take cover next to a building or under a shelter.
• Stand clear of roadways or train tracks, as a wind gust may blow you into the path of an oncoming vehicle.
• Use handrails where available on outdoor walkways and avoid other elevated areas.
• Watch for flying debris. Tree limbs may break and street signs may become loose during strong wind gusts. Keep an eye toward nearby balconies for loose objects that may fall.

In the event of a downed power line:

• Call for help. Report downed lines to the police and your local utility emergency center. Do not try to free lines or to remove debris yourself.
• Avoid anything that may be touching downed lines, including vehicles or tree branches. Puddles and even wet or snow-covered ground can conduct electricity in some cases. Warn others to stay away.
• If you see someone who has been shocked who may be in direct or indirect contact with a power line, do not try to touch them. You may become a second victim. Immediately call 911.
• If a line falls on your car, stay inside the vehicle. Do not to touch any of the metal frame of your vehicle. Honk your horn, roll down the window and warn anyone who may approach you of the danger. Ask someone to call the police. Do not exit the car until help arrives, unless it catches on fire. To exit, open the door, but do not step out. Jump, without touching any of the metal portions of the car’s exterior, to safe ground and get quickly away.

If you are driving:

• Keep both hands on the wheel and slow down.
• Watch for objects blowing across the roadway and into your path.
• Keep a safe distance from cars in adjacent lanes as strong gusts could push a car outside its lane of travel.
• Take extra care in a high-profile vehicle such as a truck, van, SUV, or when towing a trailer, as these are more prone to be pushed or even flipped by high wind gusts.
• If winds are severe enough to prevent safe driving, get onto the shoulder of the road and stop, making sure you are away from trees or other tall objects that could fall onto your vehicle. Stay in the car and turn on the hazard lights until the wind subsides.

To report a downed tree limb, call the Boxborough Police Department at 978-264-1750. To report a downed power line, call 911.

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