¤ Be sure your address is visible from the street at all times day/night so emergency personnel can find your home easily

¤ Don't leave cooking unattended -- it is a leading cause of fires in the home. Mount a fire extinguisher in kitchen and keep it visible, just in case.

¤ Be sure your electric panel is clearly identified and accessible. Do not overload electrical outlets or run cords under carpets.

¤ Keep combustible materials away from hot water heaters and furnaces. Store gasoline only in approved containers and do not store it in the house.

¤ Keep chemicals, cleaning supplies and medicines locked up and out of reach of small children.

¤ Wear a seat belt in vehicles at all times

¤ Use safety helmets with bikes and rollerblades

Easy access to fire hydrants is critical in the event of a fire emergency. Unfortunately, sometimes access to fire hydrants is blocked or obscured by landscaping, trash bins, and more commonly, by snow.

The Fire Department needs your help to ensure that firefighters can easily access the fire hydrant nearest your home or business. If a fire hydrant near you becomes blocked or obscured for any reason, please take action to clear the snow or debris away.

Outdoor Fireplaces are permitted for use in Elk Grove Village subject to the requirements below:

• All units are to be assembled following the manufacturers requirements (lid and screen must be in place).
• When in use, the unit shall be placed on a noncombustible surface and positioned away from any structure or combustible object.
• Only seasoned hard woods shall be used. Rubbish, refuse, and yard waste and the like shall not be burned.
• Fires must be maintained at a reasonable size. Smoke emitted from the outdoor fireplace shall not infringe on any neighbor's health, safety, comfort, or quiet enjoyment of his residence.
• The outdoor fireplace must be attended to by an adult at all times.
• All fires shall be immediately and completely extinguished when finished.
• Outdoor fireplaces shall not be utilized during periods of high wind velocity.
• A portable fire extinguisher, pail of water, or connected garden hose shall be kept near the unit while it is in use.
• Any fire which is deemed a nuisance or a hazard by the Elk Grove Village Fire or Police Department must be extinguished upon request.