Nicor at area fire department open houses

Submitted by Nicor Gas

Nicor Gas will participate in 55 fire department open houses across its northern Illinois service territory to educate the public on natural gas safety. The program will run through Oct. 16, with the majority of open houses taking place during National Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 9-15.

“Fire department open houses provide invaluable safety information to residents,” said Margi Schiemann, senior manager of community relations for Nicor Gas. “Learning to identify the smell of the odorant added to natural gas, replacing old brass appliance connectors, and having an escape plan in place in case of fire can all save lives.”

Approximately 100 Nicor Gas employee volunteers will be on hand at the open house events, answering questions and sharing important natural gas safety information with local residents.

At each of the open house locations, Nicor Gas will showcase an educational display, including a colorful model of a family home with engaging features that highlight natural gas safety tips and information about pipeline safety. Hands-on lessons include a scratch-and-sniff activity that will help parents and children identify a possible natural gas leak.

At each open house, Nicor Gas will be giving away free environmentally friendly tote bags to the first 100 visitors. Fun and informative activities for children include stickers and a question-and-answer activity about natural gas safety. Children can answer natural gas safety questions and be entered into a drawing to win a Lego City Fire Station.

Nicor Gas is committed to providing safe and reliable service to its customers. Part of that service includes informing the public about natural gas safety and tips and tools to prevent certain issues before they can become a problem.

For information about Fire Department Open Houses or gas safety tips, visit www.nicorgas.com.

Some of the local open houses will be: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5 at Hoffman Estates Fire Department, Sears Corporate Office, 3333 Beverly Road in Hoffman Estates; 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8 at the Elgin Fire Department, 650 Big Timber Road, in Elgin; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8 at the Hanover Park Fire Department Station 1, 6850 Barrington Road in Hanover Park; and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16 at the Sugar Grove Fire Department, 25 S. Municipal Drive in Sugar Grove.