For immediate release 1-07-09

For information contact:

(781) 246-6363

Winter Storms can Cause Damage

Be Cautious of Live Wires and Notify WMGLD of any Life Sustaining Equipment

(Wakefield, MA) - A winter storm that involves snow, sleet, and freezing rain has the potential to coat roads and surfaces with a dangerous glaze of ice, not only creating treacherous road conditions, but also causing ice to build up on power lines as well as tree branches and limbs.

Although most storms are not as destructive as the December storm that wreaked havoc in other parts of the state, they could still cause damage and scattered power outages.

“The damage that occurred last month in the central part of the state was devastating,” said Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department General Manager Pete Dion.

“It is a good time for us to remind our customers to use caution if they ever encounter a downed power line or tree branch that is resting on a live wire,” Dion said. “You should always assume that the wire is live and immediately call the WMGLD at 781-246-6363 to report the situation. It’s certainly better to be safe than sorry.”

The General Manager also reminded customers to notify the WMGLD if anyone in the house relies on life sustaining equipment that requires electricity. Although most of this equipment has a back-up battery source, the battery power could potentially run out or fail before power can be restored.

“If there will be a planned power outage, we make sure that we alert customers with medical conditions that have notified us so that precautionary steps can be taken.”

Customers who rely on respirators, feeding machine, Nebulizer, apnea monitor, heart monitor, oxygen, hemodialysis equipment and/or suction machines should notify the WMGLD as soon as possible, if they have not done so already.

Additional information can also be found on the website www.wmgld.com or by calling the WMGLD at 781-246-6363.