Winter weather impacts police, fire emergencies

NEW MADRID, Mo. - As the weather changes, the call types for the police department and fire department change along with it.

As far as the police are concerned, there is one type of call that is on the rise this time of the year: traffic crashes. Between increases in school traffic, inclement weather and deer movement, vehicle crashes rise dramatically in November and continue through February.

Drivers in New Madrid should particularly be careful over the next two months when driving Highway 61 between Des Cyprie and the south New Madrid overpass. Every year we work several vehicle versus deer crashes in this area, so be sure to use caution on that stretch of highway.

From the fire department’s perspective, winter usually brings an increase in house fires. Most of those fires are caused either by residents using an alternate heat source, such as a space heater, or using heat to thaw frozen pipes.

Space heaters may be used to heat small areas during the winter, but they should never be left unattended or used overnight. In addition, heat sources used to thaw frozen pipes should be monitored constantly to prevent house fires. Ideally, space heaters should not be used and a plumber should be called to thaw frozen pipes.