BANGOR — Members of a West Enfield family had very little warning last week before their roof collapsed because of the heavy buildup of ice and snow. Paid and volunteer staff from the Pine Tree Chapter of the American Red Cross were busy Sunday meeting the needs of people like the family from West Enfield, whose homes have been damaged by the ice storms and power outages.

In their travels, Red Cross workers have seen many roofs bending from the weight of the packed ice and the new layer of snow.

The American Red Cross is advising people to arrange to have their roofs cleaned, and is also warning them to keep safety in mind. People are advised to work in teams or groups, so if someone is injured, another person can go for help. People who are forced to work alone should make sure someone knows where they are and should have someone check on them periodically.

Ideally, roof stripping should be done from a ladder and not standing on the roof.