Representative Don Humason



SAFETY TIPS By State Representative Don Humason, Jr. December 22, 2007 Winter officially begins today, December 22. But we’ve had more than our share of snow and winter weather over the past week. I wanted to remind readers that the Westfield Department of Public Works provides free sand for Westfield residents at a site on South Broad Street down past the Big Y. You have to provide your own containers and shovel it yourself, and there is a limit of 4 pails of sand per person, but it’s a great service provided by the city and the DPW for Westfield residents. And with the slippery conditions lately, that sand really comes in handy. My friend Representative Jeff Perry, R-Sandwich, just returned from Washington, DC where he delivered Christmas cards from the people of his district to recovering soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Unfortunately, Walter Reed Army Medical Center cannot accept cards or packages mailed there to ‘Any Wounded Soldier’ or ‘A Recovering Soldier’ but through a partnership between Pitney Bowes, Inc. and the American Red Cross, you can mail a card to an American serviceman or woman by addressing your holiday card to: We Support You During Your Recovery! c/o American Red Cross PO Box 419 Savage, MD 20763-0419 Be sure to affix adequate postage. Cards must be received by December 27. No care packages, just cards and notes. If you would like to send a donation, go to www.americasupportsyou.mil. According to Crash Fatality Facts on the Massachusetts Highway Department website: 442 people died in Massachusetts crashes in 2005 In 55% of the traffic-related fatalities in Massachusetts, the victims were determined not to be wearing seatbelts 42% of the traffic-related fatalities in Massachusetts were attributed to impaired drivers 33% of the traffic-related fatalities in Massachusetts were speed related 17% of the traffic-related fatalities in Massachusetts were pedestrians 16% of the traffic-related fatalities in Massachusetts occurred at intersections 11% of traffic-related fatalities in Massachusetts were motorcycle riders 1% of the traffic-related fatalities in Massachusetts were bicycle riders Also from the Massachusetts Highway Department website: Ten Safety Tips to Consider For Traveling During Winter Weather Drivers: Increase the space between your vehicle and others. You need more distance to stop safely on slippery surfaces. The Massachusetts State Police recommend that under good driving conditions, motorists should leave at least one car length for every ten miles per hour between you and vehicle in front of you. Therefore, as conditions deteriorate, you should increase these recommended distances between vehicles to allow for safe stopping. You should equip your vehicle with a spare tire, jack, tire iron, jumper cables, shovel, light flares, ice scraper, brush & blanket. Before driving, completely clear your vehicle of snow and ice. Clear all windows, windshield wipers, headlights, and brake lights. Clear ice from your vehicle's roof so it does not blow off while you're driving and create hazards for drivers behind you. Make sure your windshield wipers and defroster are in good condition. Use a windshield washer fluid that doesn't freeze. Use caution when driving over bridges - the earth does not insulate them; they tend to freeze before the rest of the road. Drive a safe distance behind snowplows - failure to do so can result in sand/snow thrown from the equipment onto your vehicle. Plows often travel slower than other vehicles to remove snow, apply sand, and assist stranded vehicles. Clear the snow from the exhaust pipe. Sitting in a car with a blocked exhaust pipe could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning and death. Pedestrians: If the sidewalks and walkways are impassable and you have to walk in the street, walk against traffic and as close to the curb or edge of the road as you can. Bicyclists: Wide "mountain bike – type" tires handle better than narrow "racing - type" tires on wet or slippery surfaces. Motorcyclists: Dress appropriately for cold temperatures and be aware of wet, sandy, and snow covered roads. I would like to conclude by wishing a safe and Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight! Representative Don Humason and his new aide Sarah Latour may be reached at their Westfield District office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085, 568-1366. Their Boston address is State House Room 542, Boston, MA 02133, (617) 722-2803. Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us
This Site Designed and Maintained by: The Barre Group

SAFETY TIPS

By State Representative Don Humason, Jr.

December 22, 2007

Winter officially begins today, December 22. But we’ve had more than our share of snow and winter weather over the past week.

I wanted to remind readers that the Westfield Department of Public Works provides free sand for Westfield residents at a site on South Broad Street down past the Big Y.

You have to provide your own containers and shovel it yourself, and there is a limit of 4 pails of sand per person, but it’s a great service provided by the city and the DPW for Westfield residents. And with the slippery conditions lately, that sand really comes in handy.

My friend Representative Jeff Perry, R-Sandwich, just returned from Washington, DC where he delivered Christmas cards from the people of his district to recovering soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Unfortunately, Walter Reed Army Medical Center cannot accept cards or packages mailed there to ‘Any Wounded Soldier’ or ‘A Recovering Soldier’ but through a partnership between Pitney Bowes, Inc. and the American Red Cross, you can mail a card to an American serviceman or woman by addressing your holiday card to:

We Support You During Your Recovery!
c/o American Red Cross
PO Box 419
Savage, MD 20763-0419

Be sure to affix adequate postage. Cards must be received by December 27. No care packages, just cards and notes. If you would like to send a donation, go to www.americasupportsyou.mil.

According to Crash Fatality Facts on the Massachusetts Highway Department website:
442 people died in Massachusetts crashes in 2005
In 55% of the traffic-related fatalities in Massachusetts, the victims were determined not to be wearing seatbelts
42% of the traffic-related fatalities in Massachusetts were attributed to impaired drivers
33% of the traffic-related fatalities in Massachusetts were speed related
17% of the traffic-related fatalities in Massachusetts were pedestrians
16% of the traffic-related fatalities in Massachusetts occurred at intersections
11% of traffic-related fatalities in Massachusetts were motorcycle riders
1% of the traffic-related fatalities in Massachusetts were bicycle riders

Also from the Massachusetts Highway Department website:
Ten Safety Tips to Consider For Traveling During Winter Weather

Drivers: Increase the space between your vehicle and others. You need more distance to stop safely on slippery surfaces. The Massachusetts State Police recommend that under good driving conditions, motorists should leave at least one car length for every ten miles per hour between you and vehicle in front of you. Therefore, as conditions deteriorate, you should increase these recommended distances between vehicles to allow for safe stopping.

You should equip your vehicle with a spare tire, jack, tire iron, jumper cables, shovel, light flares, ice scraper, brush & blanket.

Before driving, completely clear your vehicle of snow and ice. Clear all windows, windshield wipers, headlights, and brake lights. Clear ice from your vehicle's roof so it does not blow off while you're driving and create hazards for drivers behind you.

Make sure your windshield wipers and defroster are in good condition. Use a windshield washer fluid that doesn't freeze.

Use caution when driving over bridges - the earth does not insulate them; they tend to freeze before the rest of the road.

Drive a safe distance behind snowplows - failure to do so can result in sand/snow thrown from the equipment onto your vehicle. Plows often travel slower than other vehicles to remove snow, apply sand, and assist stranded vehicles.

Clear the snow from the exhaust pipe. Sitting in a car with a blocked exhaust pipe could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning and death.

Pedestrians: If the sidewalks and walkways are impassable and you have to walk in the street, walk against traffic and as close to the curb or edge of the road as you can.

Bicyclists: Wide "mountain bike – type" tires handle better than narrow "racing - type" tires on wet or slippery surfaces.

Motorcyclists: Dress appropriately for cold temperatures and be aware of wet, sandy, and snow covered roads.

I would like to conclude by wishing a safe and Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight!

Representative Don Humason and his new aide Sarah Latour may be reached at their Westfield District office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085, 568-1366. Their Boston address is State House Room 542, Boston, MA 02133, (617) 722-2803. Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us

This Site Designed and Maintained by: The Barre Group