Author: jgprstaff

The Town of Cohasset, Cohasset Police, Cohasset Fire and the Cohasset Emergency Management Agency would like to provide cold weather and ice safety tips to the community ahead of what is forecast to be a dangerously cold weekend.

From Friday into Saturday morning, an arctic blast is forecast to move through the northeast region of the U.S. with local temperatures predicted by the National Weather Service (NWS) to be in the single digits, with wind chills predicted to fall below -20°F.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cold weather-induced illnesses such as frostbite can occur even in temperatures above 40°F if a person becomes chilled by rain or sweat, or is submerged in cold water.

The Town of Cohasset, Cohasset Police, Cohasset Fire and the Cohasset Emergency Management Agency wish to share the following tips from the CDC to help keep residents safe in cold weather situations and conditions:

When going outdoors, adults and children should wear:

• A hat
• Scarf or knit mask to cover face and mouth
• Long sleeves that are snug at the wrist
• Mittens (they are warmer than gloves)
• Water-resistant coat and boots

Residents are also reminded to layer their clothing strategically:

• When choosing an inner layer, wear fabrics that will hold more body heat and fabrics that do not absorb moisture. Wool, silk, or polypropylene will hold more body heat than cotton.
• Wear a layer of clothing for insulation. An insulation layer will help you retain heat by trapping air close to your body. Natural fibers, like wool, goose down, or a fleece work best.
• Select your outer layer carefully. The outermost layer helps protect you from wind, rain, and snow. It should be tightly woven, and preferably water and wind resistant, to reduce loss of body heat.

Other tips

• Try to stay dry while outdoors, as wet clothing chills the body quickly.
• Excess sweating will cause the body to lose more heat, so remove extra layers of clothing whenever you feel too warm.
• Avoid getting gasoline or alcohol on your skin while deicing and fueling your car or using a snow blower. Getting these on your skin will cause your body to lose more heat.
• Do not ignore shivering, as it’s an important first sign that your body is losing heat. Constant shivering is a sign that it is time to go inside.
• If you decide to go out on the ice, be mindful of the following ice safety tips:
  • Never go onto the ice alone. A friend may be able to rescue you from shore or go for help if you fall through the ice.
  • Go out onto the ice prepared. Make sure to have a cell phone with you in case of emergency, as well as rope or ice picks to help you or someone you’re with should someone fall in.
  • Measure ice in multiple places before testing it with your weight. Ice that is two inches thick or less should be avoided completely. Four inches or more is considered safe for ice fishing or any other activity on foot.
  • If someone falls through the ice, call 911. If you are unable to reach that person from shore, throw them something (rope, jumper cables, tree branch, etc.).

For additional information from the CDC regarding cold weather safety, click here.

Space heaters

The Town of Cohasset, Cohasset Police, Cohasset Fire and the Cohasset Emergency Management Agency would also like to provide the following safety tips regarding space heaters from the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services:

• When buying a heater, look for one that has been tested and labeled by a nationally recognized testing company, such as Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL).
• Keep the heater 3 feet away from drapes, furniture or other flammable materials.
• Place the heater on a level surface away from areas where someone might bump into  it and knock it over.
• Avoid using extension cords. If you must use an extension cord, make sure it is a heavy-duty cord marked with a power rating at least as high as that on the label of the heater itself.
• Never leave a space heater unattended or running while you sleep. Supervise children and pets when a space heater is in use.
• Keep electric heaters away from water. Never use them near a sink or in  the bathroom.

Take care of your pet

Pet owners are also reminded to take precautions during cold weather. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), cold tolerance varies from pet to pet, and owners should be aware of their pet’s tolerance and adjust their activities accordingly.

No pet should be left outside for long periods of time during below-freezing weather. Owners should check their dog’s paws frequently for signs of cold-weather injury, such as cracked paw pads or bleeding. Following a walk, owners should also wipe down their pet’s feet, legs and belly to remove chemicals such as deicers or antifreeze.

It is also recommended that you check underneath your car, bang on the hood and honk the horn as a warm vehicle engine can be an appealing heat source for outdoor or feral cats. For more tips regarding cold weather and animals, visit the AVMA.

###

The Cohasset Police Department shares the following statement from the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office regarding Ana Walshe:

COHASSET — Chief William Quigley is pleased to announce that the Cohasset Police Department has been awarded a grant to increase the number of impaired driving patrols during the holiday season as part of the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign.

As part of the Municipal Road Safety Program, the Baker-Polito Administration recently awarded over $5 million in road safety grant funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to local police departments for Fiscal Year 2023. Of this funding, the Cohasset Police Department was awarded $16,417.00.

The Cohasset Police Department will join other departments across the state and the Massachusetts State Police in the campaign. Police urge motorists who have been drinking or using marijuana or other drugs to plan ahead and designate a driver, use a ride-sharing service or take public transportation.

The campaign runs from Dec. 1 to Dec. 31. During that time, the Cohasset Police Department will have several officers on the lookout for impaired and reckless drivers on the roads. Everyone is reminded to never get behind the wheel if they have been drinking and to never get into a vehicle if the driver is impaired.

According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately one-third of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers. On average, more than 10,000 people have died each year (2014 to 2018) in drunk-driving crashes.

For more information on the Office of Grants and Research’s Municipal Road Safety and impaired driving enforcement grant program, as well as the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, click here.

###

Chief William Quigley reports that the Cohasset Police Department is actively seeking the public’s help in identifying a vehicle that was involved in a hit-and-run involving a dog.

On Monday, Nov. 21 at approximately 7:55 a.m., the Cohasset Police Department was dispatched to the intersection of Pond Street and Clay Spring Road for a report of a vehicle crash involving a dog.

The dog was pronounced dead at the scene. The vehicle involved fled the scene.

As of Tuesday morning, the operator has not yet come forward or been identified.

Cohasset Police are actively looking for a 2011-22 white Jeep Grand Cherokee with chrome trim that is believed to be the vehicle involved in this incident. The vehicle is believed to have damage to the right front end.

As part of the ongoing investigation, Cohasset Police obtained video surveillance from the area and wish to share that footage with the public, with the hope that someone might recognize the vehicle involved.

Anyone with information on this incident, or information on the vehicle involved, is asked to call the Cohasset Police Natural Resources Officer Josh Kimball at  781-383-1055 ext. 6125.

###