Winter Weather is here! Please help us keep hydrants clear of snow and do not blow or shovel snow into the street.
Freezing temperatures can pose a health and safety threat. The Elmhurst Fire Department urges all citizens to take steps to prepare themselves for extreme cold temperatures. When outside, dress appropriately and maintain personal awareness. Prepare an emergency supply for your home and a winter kit for your vehicle(s). Residents are encouraged to check on elderly neighbors and family members to ensure they are safe and as comfortable as possible. To request a well-being check for someone who may be suffering from the severe weather call 9-1-1. If anyone needs urgent medical treatment, contact 911 immediately.
Freezing temperatures safety tips:
- Wear several layers of loose, warm clothing
- Keep your head, hands and feet covered when outdoors
- Avoid alcoholic beverages
- Recognize the symptoms of hypothermia: stiff muscles, shivering, puffy or
swollen face, cold skin, slow breathing and mental confusion - Never use an extension cord with a space heater. Ovens should not be used to heat homes
Warming Sites:
Warming Site is a heated facility where residents can go to find safe refuge from extreme weather.
Click here to see a list of DuPage County warming sites
Elmhurst warming sites:
Elmhurst Public Library, 125 S. Prospect (630) 279-8696
Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sunday: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Call the Elmhurst Police Department for additional site referral: (630) 530-3050 Non-Emergency number
How To Know If your Pipes are Frozen
Generally, when a pipe which feeds a certain fixture such as a shower, sink, or toilet freezes, you will no longer be able to get water through that fixture. This would be the case if the pipe is frozen solid.
What to do if your pipes freeze
Some techniques for thawing frozen pipes include:
- Opening ceiling tiles if your home has a drop ceiling
- Using a heat gun (be extremely careful)
- Rubbing the pipes with warm damp rags
- Turning off the gas to your hot water heater
Preventing your Pipes from Freezing
Some suggestions include:
- Keeping the water meter area or pipes exposed to outside walls heated
- Providing ventilation to pipes allowing warmer air to circulate around them
- Insulating your pipes
- Caulking and sealing any openings near your water pipes
- Keeping some tap water running
- In severe cases, it is best to turn your main valve off and drain your system by turning your sinks on