Seasonal

Extreme Heat: Safety and Reminders

In anticipation of hot summer weather, heat safety tips from Ready.gov/heat can help keep you and your loved ones safe.

• Never leave a child, adult or animal alone inside a vehicle on a warm day.
• Find places with air conditioning. Libraries, shopping malls and community centers can provide a cool place to take a break from the heat.
• If you’re outside, find shade. Wear a hat wide enough to protect your face.
• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. If you or someone you care for is on a special diet, ask a doctor how best to accommodate it.
• Do not use electric fans when the temperature outside is more than 95 degrees, as it could increase the risk of heat-related illness. Fans create air flow and a false sense of comfort, but do not reduce body temperature.
• Avoid high-energy activities.
• Check yourself, family members and neighbors for signs of heat-related illness.

Additional resources: 

• CDC – Extreme Heat
• American Red Cross – Heat Wave Safety
• National Weather Service – Heat Safety Tips and Resources
• CDC Pet Safety
• FEMA / Ready.Gov – Extreme Heat Safety Social Media Toolkit
• National Weather Service Chicago – Weather Story
• DuPage County Community Resource Information System (CRIS)
• Cooling Centers
• ComEd – Report an Outage
• ComEd – Current Outages

Swimming Safety Reminders

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions, residents may opt to purchase a pool this summer. The Lombard Fire Department is reminding residents that drowning is the leading cause of death for children 1-4 years old in the U.S., and is sharing safety reminders from the American Red Cross:

• Secure your pool with appropriate barriers.
• Designate a water watcher…and stay in arm’s reach of young children.
• Install anti-entrapment drain covers and safety release systems to protect against drain entrapment.
• If a child is missing, check the water first.

Heat Safety and Reminders

In anticipation of hot summer weather, heat safety tips from Ready.gov/heat can help keep you and your loved ones safe.

• Never leave a child, adult or animal alone inside a vehicle on a warm day.
• Find places with air conditioning. Libraries, shopping malls and community centers can provide a cool place to take a break from the heat.
• If you’re outside, find shade. Wear a hat wide enough to protect your face.
• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. If you or someone you care for is on a special diet, ask a doctor how best to accommodate it.
• Do not use electric fans when the temperature outside is more than 95 degrees, as it could increase the risk of heat-related illness. Fans create air flow and a false sense of comfort, but do not reduce body temperature.
• Avoid high-energy activities.
• Check yourself, family members and neighbors for signs of heat-related illness.

Construction

Want to know about construction projects planned for your neighborhood? Or projects that could impact your commute? Check out our interactive construction map! Just type in an address and find out about local construction projects.

Yard Maintenance

Information regarding disposing of your yard waste can be found on our Yard Waste page. Most frequently asked is where yard waste stickers can be purchased. Stickers can be purchased at:

• Jewel, 1177 S. Main, Lombard
• Schroeder’s Ace Hardware, 837 S. Westmore-Meyers, Lombard
• West Suburban Bank, 711 S. Westmore-Meyers, Lombard
• Jewel, 33 E. St. Charles, Villa Park
• Johnson’s Lighthouse BP, 1 W. St. Charles, Villa Park

Firework Safety

Fireworks are not toys, but devices designed to reach high temperatures, burn, spark, explode and launch. They are unpredictable by nature and dangerous for non-professional users. Fireworks were involved in an estimated 9,100 injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments during calendar year 2018, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The discharging of fireworks, such as firecrackers, bottle rockets and Roman candles, are not allowed in Illinois under state regulations, and is a violation of state law and Village ordinances.  Novelty fireworks, such as snakes, sparklers, and party-poppers are not regulated by the state.

Sparklers are legal but they are extremely dangerous. Common sparklers burn at temperatures of up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit and remain extremely hot long after the sparks have ceased. Many children are injured each year by sparklers and children playing with novelty fireworks must be closely supervised by adults to prevent injury.

The National Safety Council advises that the best way to safely enjoy this Fourth of July is to watch a public fireworks display conducted by professionals. However, if using novelty fireworks, be sure to follow these important safety tips:

• Never allow young children to handle fireworks.
• Older children should use fireworks only under close adult supervision.
• Light fireworks outdoors in a clear area away from onlookers, houses and  flammable materials.
• Light one device at a time; maintain a safe distance after lighting.
• Do not allow any running or horseplay while fireworks are being used.
• Never ignite devices in a container.
• Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in case of fire.

Spring: Severe Weather Preparedness

Seasonal Flooding
The Chicago region continues to receive record setting rainfall. In 2019, the wettest May on record impacted the area with 8.25 inches of rainfall. Regional and nation-wide trends continue to track increased rainfall amounts, with the United States recording its second-wettest year on record in 2019. Additionally, since precipitation records began in 1871, four of the top five wettest years in Chicago have occurred in the last decade (Chicago Tribune, May 19, 2020).

Prepare ahead of time for the potential impacts of seasonal rainstorm flooding with this helpful information. 

Thunderstorm Safety
The Midwest is impacted by severe weather year round, however spring storms bring specific hazards including tornadoes, thunderstorms & lightning, and flooding. It’s important to plan ahead and be ready in case of an emergency weather event. 

Construction

Find out details about specific 2020 construction projects with Public Work’s interactive comprehensive Construction Map!

Outdoor Clean Up Activities

The Public Works Department coordinates two opportunities to clean up our Village’s bike paths, parks and the DuPage River. Email Dave Gorman for more information.

• Lombard Pride Cleanup (April) - Help beautify bike trails, parks and other public areas in preparation for Lilac Time. Groups or individuals of any age, pick-up trash and/or remove buckthorn and garlic mustard form the Illinois Prairie Path and Great Western Trail. Or you can walk a nearby park and pick-up trash.
• DuPage River Sweep (May) - Volunteers from Lombard and Glen Ellyn remove trash along the banks of the East Branch DuPage River at Churchill Woods Forest Preserve.

Community Events and Lilac Time

Public Works assists with planning, coordination and set-up of many of the events associated with the Lilac Time festival. The festival includes two full weeks of events including family fun in Lilacia Park, concerts, the Art and Craft Fair, tours with the Historical Society and so much more! Visit the www.lombardlilactime.com for for a complete list of events. You can also find upcoming community events on our Village Calendar.

Your Home and Garden Projects 

• Yard waste Pick Up begins the first full week of April!
• Where can I dispose my unwanted paints or cleaning supplies?
• Where can I learn more about rain barrels or composting?

Spring Time Projects Beyond Construction

In addition to construction projects, spring time also means spring cleaning! Here is how your Public Works Department is hard at work for you: 

Streets and Electrical

• Removing snow plows and salt spreaders from trucks and storing them for the summer.
• Installing tailgates and tarps on the trucks, and setting up equipment to prepare for paving and patching operations.
• Installing the fountain in the pond by Village Hall.
• Sweeping up winter debris and spring buds falling from trees.
• Repairing and installing mailboxes that were damaged during winter plowing.

Forestry

• The Forestry Division is responsible for maintaining approximately 19,000 parkway trees and does two tree plantings per year (spring & fall).
• Forestry staff will be mulching the new trees as well as other young trees. The parkway restoration contractor will be restoring utility digs and stump removals that were done between September 1st of the previous year and February 1st of this year.
• Forestry staff will shift from cyclic pruning into service request trimming and weather permitting, Village mowing begins early April.

 Underground Utilities

• Catch basins are cleared by Village Staff to help with storm water drainage and to help keep storm lines clear. Catch basins that need repair are fixed before summer pavement patching takes place.
• Fire Hydrant flushing and testing ensures proper operation by helping us to locate problem fire hydrants and low flow areas. The hydrants in disrepair will be scheduled for repair or replacement as necessary.
• Retention/Detention pond out fall cleanup. This is the cleaning and clearing of Village owned pond out falls and restrictors to ensure proper operation during the spring rain season.

Snow Plowing

Winter of course brings snow plowing. Visit our Snow Plowing page for detailed information about how the Public Works department performs snow plowing, as well as topics related to snow plowing.

How to Avoid or Fix Frozen Pipes

In extreme sub-zero temperatures, Public Works responds to many calls for frozen pipes. To avoid this situation it is advisable to let the water run at a constant trickle until the temperature rises.  Lower lake water temperatures combined with cold air movement around plumbing fixtures can create freezing in water lines. Under these conditions, water can freeze in the lines in just a couple of hours. 

• Allow a small trickle of water to run overnight to keep pipes from freezing. The cost of the extra water is low compared to the cost to repair a broken pipe.  The water can be used to water indoor plants and more.
• Open cabinet doors to expose pipes to warmer room temperatures to help keep them from freezing.
• Eliminate sources of cold air near water lines by repairing broken windows, insulating walls, closing off crawl spaces and eliminating drafts near doors.
• Know the location of your main water shut-off valve. If a pipe freezes or bursts, shut the water off immediately.
• Protect your pipes and water meter. Wrap exposed pipes with insulation or use electrical heat tracing wire; newspaper or fabric might also work.

  
  What To Do If Your Pipes Freeze:

  Shut off the water immediately. Do not attempt to thaw frozen pipes unless the water is shut off. Freezing can often cause unseen cracks in pipes or joints.

  • Apply heat to the frozen pipe by warming the air around it, or by applying heat directly to a pipe. You can use a hair dryer, space heater or hot water. Be sure not to leave space heaters unattended, and avoid the use of kerosene heaters or open flames.
  • Once the pipes have thawed, turn the water back on slowly and check for cracks and leaks.

• When you are away:

  • Have a friend, relative or neighbor regularly check your property to ensure that the heat is working and the pipes have not frozen.
  • Also, a freeze alarm can be purchased for less than $100 and will call a user-selected phone number if the inside temperature drops below 45 degrees.

• Lombard Village Code helps ensure better pedestrian access after snowfall

  Village Code previously required public sidewalk clearing for all commercial properties in Lombard, regardless of location. The amended Code (2018) provisions require property owners to clear public sidewalks along the following street segments, regardless of the zoning designation. 

  • St. Charles Road from Elizabeth Street to Martha Street;
  • Main Street from Grove Avenue to Washington Boulevard;
  • Park Avenue from Orchard Terrace to McGuire Drive; and
  • Westmore-Meyers Road from Division Street to North Broadway.

• When snowfall occurs, Village Code requires a path clearance minimum of 5 feet wide for commercial properties in the above listed designated areas. . The Code also requires that property owners are responsible to clear abutting sidewalks, as well as the sidewalk areas that lead up to intersections on corners. The Code is aimed at improving the safety of sidewalk segments that are commonly utilized by pedestrians.

  Clearing of sidewalks will be required within 24 hours of the end of each snow event. Failure to do so may result in follow up action from the Village’s Code Enforcement  staff.

  Please contact Code Enforcement at (630)620-5757 for more information. 

  See FAQ Guide For Snow Removal

  Cold Weather Safety Reminders