FALL 2007 AND NEWSLETTER N E I G H B O R H O O D W A T C H N E W S L E T T E R H O F F M A N E S T A T E S P. D. Remind children not to eat any treats until they get home and an adult has examined them. Eat only unopened candies and other treats. Halloween may be a fun holiday for kids but for parents, trick-or-treat time can be a little tricky. Concerns about children s safety whether they are out in the neighborhood or back home with bags of treats can darken the day more quickly than a black cat. To make Halloween a treat for all, follow these safety tips: Children should not go out trick-or-treating alone or late at night. They should go before dark if possible, with a group of friends - or even better - with a trusted adult. If you go out after dark, stay on welllighted streets and carry a flashlight. A responsible person should accompany younger children under the age of 10. Parents should be aware of the routes and areas covered by children not accompanied by adults. Tell them to stop only at familiar homes where the outside lights are on. Children should be reminded of the rules to follow when crossing streets and intersections. Children should be reminded not to enter anyone's home or car while trick-ortreating. Wear a costume that can be seen in the dark, is non-flammable, and fits well so you will not trip when you walk. Trick-or-Treat hours in Hoffman Estates are from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 31. Autumn is here! As we begin this new season, please consider the following safety tips: Fireplace safety The fireplace in your home is a source of warmth and relaxation for your family and friends. Like any home appliance, it should be safe, properly maintained, and good for the environment, inside and out. Here are a few tips when dealing with your fireplace:
PAGE 2 NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH NEWS FALL 2007 AND Clear the area around the fireplace and chimney. Check the flue for obstructions like birds' nests, and trim any overhanging branches or large trees near the chimney. Always use a fireplace screen. Never overload the fireplace. Keep a fire extinguisher on hand. When building a fire, place logs at the rear. Never leave fire unattended. Keep wood stacked, covered, and outof-doors. Have your fireplace inspected annually. Use seasoned wood. Burn smartly. Minimize creosote buildup. Make a fire that fits your fireplace. Keep your fireplace in good working condition. If your fireplace is equipped with glass doors, leave them open while burning a firelog. Winterize Your Home. Make Annual Home Heating Inspections Part of Your Home Safety Checklist When old man winter comes to town and Jack Frost begins to paint our windows with snowflake etchings, we start up our furnaces and stoke our fireplaces, using every resource we have in the simple quest for warmth. Everyone is urged to have a professional inspection of their home heating system to detect carbon monoxide (CO) leaks. CO sources can also include malfunctioning stoves, ovens, clothes dryers, water heaters and space heaters, in addition to furnaces and fireplaces. Any device that burns a fuel - such as natural gas, kerosene, or wood, is a potential threat of CO poisoning. Before the cold weather is upon us, make sure to follow these simple steps for a safe fall and winter season: Remove screens from windows and install storm windows. Clean out gutters and downspouts. Insulate pipes in your home's crawl spaces and attic. Store firewood at least 30 feet away from your home. Familiarize responsible family members with the gas main valve and other appliance valves. Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct, damper and space under the dryer. Make sure all electrical holiday decorations have tight connections. Check the attic for adequate ventilation. Clean the kitchen exhaust hood and air filter. Check the water hoses on the clothes washer, refrigerator icemaker, and dishwasher for cracks and bubbles. Test all ground-fault-circuitinterrupter (GFCI) type outlets. Winter Weather Preparedness Tips Preparing Your Family Assemble a disaster supply kit. Store drinking water, canned/no-cook food, nonelectric can opener, first aid kit, batterypowered radio, flashlight and extra batteries
PAGE 3 NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH NEWS FALL 2007 AND where you can get them easily, even in the dark. Also include winter specific items such as rock salt, sand and other snow removal equipment. Prepare for the possibility that you will need to stay in your home for several days after a winter storm. Make sure that you have sufficient heating fuel as well as emergency heating equipment in case electricity is cut off. House fires pose an additional risk, as more people turn to alternate heating sources without taking the necessary safety precautions. Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and make sure everyone in your house knows how to use them. Know ahead of time what you should do to help elderly or disabled friends and neighbors or employees. Maintain ventilation when using kerosene heaters to avoid a build-up of toxic fumes and always refuel outside. Keep all heaters at least three feet from flammable objects. Dress in several layers of loosefitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water-repellent. Wear a hat, mittens and sturdy, waterproof boots. Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs from extremely cold air. Preparing Your Car Keep cars and other vehicles fueled and in good repair. Winterize your car by checking your car battery, ignition system, thermostat, lights, flashers, exhaust, heater, brakes, defroster and tires. Ensure that your car has adequate antifreeze, windshield washer fluid and oil and check regularly throughout the season. Place a winter emergency kit in each car that includes a shovel, windshield scraper, flashlight, battery powered radio, extra batteries, water, snack food, extra hats and mittens, blanket, tow chain or rope, road salt and sand, booster cables, emergency flares and fluorescent distress flag. If traveling by car during a winter weather advisory or winter storm watch, do so in daylight, don't travel alone, keep others informed of your schedule and route, and stay on main roads. Avoid driving during a winter storm warning or blizzard warning. Winter Weather Terms Know the terms used by weather forecasters so that you clearly understand the risk to your family and your community, including: Winter weather advisory - Winter weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous, especially to motorists; Winter storm watch - Be alert, a storm is possible; Winter storm warning - Take action, the storm is occurring or will soon occur in the area; Blizzard warning - Snow and strong winds combined will produce blinding snow, near zero visibility, deep drifts, and lifethreatening wind chill - seek refuge immediately; Frost/freeze warning - Below freezing temperatures are expected. Monitor weather warnings 24 hours a day with an NOAA weather radio! Available for sale at the Hoffman Estates Police Department. This weather radio alerting system can be a life saver for you and your loved ones. Two models available, priced at $25.58 or
PAGE 4 NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH NEWS FALL 2007 AND $40.58. Strobe light option available for the hearing impaired for $11.99 each. Each radio will be programmed for the counties of Cook, Dupage, Kane and Lake. Contact Officer Kevin O Keefe @ 847-781- 2881 for availability and purchase. Pay by check, cash, or credit card. Pickpocket Theft Prevention Pickpockets have been known to work on busy streets, shopping malls, and public transportation during the holiday season. Please use the following precautions to prevent yourself from being a victim of a crime during the holiday season. Do not be distracted by strangers seeking directions. Be wary when someone tells you that there is something on your clothing such as a condiment when you have not come from an eating establishment. Do not carry valuables in a shoulder bag and do not let the bag hang behind you. Keep the flap to the purse to the inside of yourself. Try to carry a purse that has a zipper or locking device of some sort. Be wary of people who drop things in front of you, such as change or keys. Keep handbags on your lap and keep your hand on it at all times while on public transportation. Be careful of the person who shoves or pushes you while trying to get to the rear or front of a bus or subway car. Auto Burglary Prevention Do not leave any personal property lying on the seats of the vehicle. Always put personal property away (out of sight), prior to arrival at your destination; place the property under the seat or inside the trunk. If you have a pullout stereo, take it with you. If you have a detachable faceplate stereo, take the face plate with you. Do not leave money in your ashtray. Keep your garage door remote out of plain view, and if stolen, change the remote control frequency. Shop Safely During the Holidays This holiday season, don t let the Spirit of Charity lull you into giving crooks a better chance to take advantage of you. Burglars and pickpockets love the holidays as much as everyone else does, because for them it is an opportune time for easy crimes. Here are a few simple reminders to keep you and your belongings safe as you shop: Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Pay for purchases with a check or credit card whenever possible. Carry your purse or wallet in a secure manner. Handbags should be close to the
PAGE 5 NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH NEWS FALL 2007 AND body; always keep them closed, zipped or snapped shut. Wallets are best kept in a front pants pocket or breast pocket of a coat. Never flaunt your cash, expensive jewelry or clothing. Walk confidently, and be alert at all times. Take notice of those who pass you or walk behind you. Be especially clearwitted in crowded areas where a pickpocket may strike without warning. Never overburden yourself with packages. Too many bags make it difficult to keep track of your wallet or purse. It may also restrict any efforts to protect yourself if a crook approaches you. Park your car in a well-lit area of the parking lot. Be certain to close and lock all doors and windows. Do not place bags and boxes in your vehicle where they are easily visible. Place packages in the trunk to deter a break-in. Shopping with children? Younger children: Keep them with you and always in your sight. Drive safely in winter The leading cause of death during winter storms is transportation accidents. Preparing your vehicle for the winter season and knowing how to react if stranded or lost on the road are the keys to safe winter driving. Snow, ice, and extreme cold can make driving treacherous. These safety tips from CDC, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the National Safety Council can help make winter car travel safer. Before winter arrives, have your car tuned up, check the level of antifreeze, make sure the battery is good, and check your tire tread or put on snow tires. Keep emergency gear in your car for everyday trips: 1. Cell phone 2. Flashlight 3. Jumper cables 4. Sand or kitty litter (for traction) 5. Ice scraper, snow brush, and small shovel 6. Blankets 7. Warning devices (e.g., flares, reflectors) For long car trips, keep food, water, extra blankets, and required medication on hand. Avoid driving in snow or ice storms. If you must travel in bad weather, drive slowly. Let someone know what route you're taking and when you plan to arrive so they can alert authorities if you don't get there. If your car is parked outside, make sure the exhaust pipe and the area around it are free of snow before you start the car. Snow packed in or around the exhaust pipe can cause high levels of carbon monoxide in the car. Don't sit in a parked car with the engine running unless a window is open. Do not let your car run while parked in a garage. If your car stalls or gets stuck in snow, light two flares and place one at each end of the car, a safe distance away. Make sure snow has not blocked the exhaust pipe. Then stay in your vehicle and open a window slightly to let in fresh air. Wrap yourself in blankets and run your vehicle's heater for a few minutes every hour to keep warm. Before winter begins, have a mechanic check the following items on your car:
PAGE 6 NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH NEWS FALL 2007 AND 1. Battery 2. Antifreeze 3. Wipers and windshield washer fluid 4. Ignition system 5. Thermostat 6. Lights 7. Flashing hazard lights 8. Exhaust system 9. Heater 10. Brakes 11. Defroster 12. Oil level (if necessary, replace existing oil with a winter grade oil or the SAE 10w/30 weight variety) Install good winter tires. Make sure the tires have adequate tread. All-weather radials are usually adequate for most winter conditions. Keep a windshield scraper and small broom for ice and snow removal. Maintain at least a half tank of gas during the winter season. Want to know the crime stats? Do you want to know what is going on in your neighborhood? Want to know the crime stats for your neighborhood? Simply contact Officer Caceres and he will gladly meet with you and your neighbors to discuss and address any and all your concerns. Plus you will gain valuable insight into the operation of the Police Department. These are very informal meetings that can take place at your residence, a clubhouse, or the Police Department. Why is this important? Since there cannot be a police officer on every corner, citizen involvement is essential to combat crime. You and your neighbors are experts who really know what is going on in your community and by cooperating with each other and the police, you can help fight crime the most effective way -- before it begins. A true community-police partnership develops, resulting in reduction in police service calls and reduction in crime or the fear of crime. Awareness is increased, and when a community perspective or support is needed, Neighborhood Watch groups serve as a valuable resource. A successful Neighborhood Watch program should result in a sense of ownership by members of each neighborhood. If you are interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch Group in your community, and would like to know the crime stats for your neighborhood, please contact Officer Tony Caceres at 847-781-2880. IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS: ALL Police, Fire or Ambulance Services in Hoffman Estates...911 Cell Phone.................911 Village Administrative Services: Police (847) 882-1818 Fire (847) 882-2138 Village Hall (847) 882-9100 Daylight saving time ends Sunday November 4 th!! W e r e o n t h e W e b! h o f f m a n e s t a t e s. o r g / p o l i c e