Household Tips

Clean Your Grates

In the fall and spring, and after heavy rains, be sure to check the storm sewer grates on the street by your house and in your yard. Grates clogged with leaves and trash can cause flooding. Please remove the debris away from the grate. If the debris is large, contact Wendy Moderhack at the Public Works Facility at 847.913.2380 to request assistance.

Sump Pump Discharge

The Village Code requires that residents disconnect sump pump discharges that flow to the street and redirect the flow onto their own property between November 1st and April 1st. This is done to prevent ice buildup in the streets which could create a hazard to both motorists and pedestrians alike, as well as cause excessive damage to our roadways and snow removal equipment.

Fireplace Tips

Fireplaces add a nice ambience to a room, but they can also cause dangerous fires. Don’t take any chances with your family and your home. Follow these fire department tips:

• Schedule an inspection and cleaning of your fireplace by a licensed, professional chimney sweep now. We recommend that this be done annually. Bird nests and blocked flu pipes are a common cause of chimney fires.

• Always close the screen or glass door in front of the fireplace to keep sparks from flying out. Keep all combustibles at least 36 inches away from the fire.

• Make sure the fire is out completely before you go to bed. Dispose of ashes in a metal container, not in plastic or paper bags.

• Never leave children unattended in a room where a fire is burning.

• Burn only dry, well-seasoned hardwoods like maple, elm, oak and birch. Avoid pine, spruce and any wood that is green and moist. Never burn painted or treated lumber. These woods give off poisonous vapors.

• Never use accelerants such as gasoline or lighter fluid to start your fire. Use kindling wood instead.

• Keep your fire moderate in size.

• Never leave the fire unattended.