PORTLAND — Public safety officials in Portland say residents should take precautions during snow removal after three people died within the past 10 days.

Portland spokeswoman Jessica Grondin says a postal worker found an unresponsive 83-year-old man leaning over the top of his snow blower. The two other residents who died were a 55-year-old man and a 78-year-old man who collapsed while shoveling.

Portland Fire Chief Jerry LaMoria tells the Portland Press Herald it’s not unusual for one person to die during snow removal during a Portland winter. But he says three close together is unusual.

He advises people who shovel to let someone else know they are out shoveling and to stay hydrated.