Winter Tips and Reminders

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.

Residential Street Parking

After 1" of snowfall, residential street parking is not allowed, but residents are encouraged to avoid street parking during any winter weather conditions. Cars parked on streets greatly reduce the speed and efficiency of plowing and salting efforts. Requests for overnight street parking will not be granted during winter weather events. 

How to Avoid or Fix Frozen Pipes

In extreme sub-zero temperatures, Public Works responds to many calls for frozen pipes.  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.

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

Driving in Winter Weather

Each year, on average, more than 5,000 people are killed and more than 418,000 are injured due to weather-related vehicle crashes. If you need to drive in snow or cold conditions, TAKE IT SLOW IN THE SNOW. Black ice can be difficult to see. If the temperature is near freezing, drive like you're on ice--you may be!

Before you leave the house, especially before a longer trip in winter, make sure all fluid levels are full and ensure that the lights, heater and windshield wipers are in proper condition. Keep your gas tank near full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines. Avoid traveling alone. Let someone know your timetable and primary and alternate routes. Then call 511 for the latest traffic and road incidents, including construction and weather conditions and restrictions. Every state offers this Department of Transportation service. Call before you leave; it might change your plans!

Fully check and winterize your vehicle before the winter season begins. Carry a Winter Storm Survival Kit that includes the following:

• Mobile phone, charger, batteries
• Blankets/sleeping bags
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• First-aid kit
• Knife
• High-calorie, non-perishable food
• Extra clothing to keep dry
• Large empty can to use as emergency toilet, tissues, toilet paper and paper towels
• Small can and waterproof matches to melt snow for drinking water
• Sack of sand or cat litter for traction
• Shovel
• Windshield scraper and brush
• Tool kit
• Tow rope
• Battery booster cables
• Water container
• Candle and matches to provide light and in an emergency, lifesaving heat.
• Compass and road maps, don't depend on mobile devices with limited battery life

Village of Lombard’s Free Leaf Collection Program: November 9 – December 18 

Lombard’s annual six-week free leaf pick-up for residents will begin Monday, Nov. 9 and end Friday, Dec. 18, when all yard waste collection will cease for the year.  During this time, residential property owners may place an unlimited amount of paper bags containing only leaves curbside on their normal Waste Management collection day without need of stickers.  This program has been adjusted to begin later, in order to accommodate later leaf fall patterns.  Residents are also encouraged to take advantage of the Compost Bin Reimbursement Program, which provides up to $80.  The Free Leaf Collection Program does not include brush collection, which requires bundling with non-plastic twine and yard waste stickers.  Visit www.villageoflombard.org/yardwaste for information on leaf and brush collection,.

Village of Lombard’s Recycling Extravaganza Cancelled

The Village has cancelled its Recycling Extravaganza in the interests of safety and promoting other options.  A flyer will be mailed in September to all residential customers and also made available on the Village’s website advising of convenient local options for reuse and recycling, often with charitable organizations.  Please see www.villageoflombard.org/recycling for additional information.

Fall Blood Drive

The Village of Lombard is hosting its annual fall blood drive on Wednesday, Nov. 13 in honor of Veterans Day. This event also recognizes the former Village President Bill Mueller, who passed away in 2012. Residents are encouraged to donate blood in honor of Mueller’s dedication to Lombard’s veterans. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this event will not be hosted at Village Hall. For location information and appointment details, visit villageoflombard.org/blooddrives or contact Carol Bauer at (630)620-5712 or bauerc@villageoflombard.org. 

Halloween Safety Tips and Reminders

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, holiday past times may look a little different this year. Each resident must make the decision as to whether or not they would like to engage in Halloween activities, and if so, how. If you do not wish to participate, you may turn off your front lights or post a sign indicating that you do not wish to participate in trick-or-treating this year. For residents who do wish to participate, the Village is sharing safety recommendations from IDPH and the CDC at www.villageoflombard.org/halloween. The Village recommends trick-or-treating hours from 3-7 p.m., to help keep our community safe. 

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Halloween

The Lombard Police Department is urging motorists to commit to sober driving this Halloween when children and their families may be walking through neighborhoods after dark. If you plan on drinking, remember to plan for a sober ride home. Impaired drivers should never get behind the wheel. It is illegal in Illinois to drive impaired by alcohol, drugs or any other substance. Remember: DUIs are not restricted to alcohol-related offenses. If you drive high, you’ll get a DUI.

Lombard Police are reminding everyone to follow these simple tips to help keep our roads safe this Halloween:

• Plan a safe way to get home before you attend a party.
• Designate a sober driver, take public transportation, use your favorite ride-sharing service, or call a sober friend or family member to get home.
• Walking while impaired can be just as dangerous as driving impaired. Designate a sober friend to walk you home.
• If you see an impaired driver on the road, call 9-1-1 as soon as it is safe to do so.
• If you see an impaired person about to drive, take their keys and help them get home safely.

Lombard Police ticket impaired drivers year-round, however extra patrols will be on the roads this Halloween due to federal traffic safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Change Your Clocks Change Your Batteries: November 1

Daylight savings time ends on Sunday, November 1st. The Lombard Fire Department is reminding residents to adopt the simple practice of changing smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector batteries when changing your clocks.  The National Fire Protection Association reports that 71% of smoke alarms which failed to operate had missing, disconnected or dead batteries. This reinforces how important it is to take this time each year to check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. 

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

Finding relief from the heat in a pool can be pleasing but pool safety has to be the number one priority. 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.