Holiday safety reminders from St. Charles police and fire departments
Dec. 8, 2015 - No one wants to be a Grinch and ruin the spirit of the season, but you should take some extra safety precautions around the holidays. Take a look at this Holiday Safety List (you may even want to check it twice.)
Shopping Safety
• Shred any trash that may contain personal information, including charge receipts. Kane County offers free document shredding quarterly. Then next one will be Saturday, Dec. 12, from 8 a.m. to noon, at 540 S. Randall Road in St. Charles. More at www.countyofkane.org/recycling/pages/confidentialDocument.aspx.
• Wear your purse diagonally across the front of your body or place your wallet in a front pocket.
• If your wallet or purse is stolen, notify the police department, credit card companies, banks, and social security office immediately.
• Check account balances frequently for unauthorized purchases and review your credit report regularly. Visit www.annualcreditreport.com for a free, federally-backed report. Or get a report from the three credit bureaus: Equifax (800) 525-6285 (www.equifax.com), Experian at (888) 397-3742 (www.experian.com), or TransUnion at (800) 680-7289 (www.transunion.com).
• Conceal your PIN during credit/debit card transactions.
• Store packages in the trunk of your vehicle and never leave handbags or purses unattended while loading your car. Never leave a purse or other valuables in a vehicle - not even the trunk. Car burglars have been known to monitor parking lots to watch what victims leave in their vehicles.
"By taking some simple precautions, you can make it more difficult for criminals out to ruin the holidays," says Crime Prevention Officer Bill Tynan. "Anyone who has questions or would like more information is welcome to give us a call or stop in and talk to an officer." Or call (630) 377-4435, email police@stcharlesil.gov.
Holiday Tree Safety
• Keep the tree three feet away from any heat source: fireplace, radiator, candle, lamp, etc.
• Don't block an exit with the tree.
• Keep the tree watered.
• Replace any string of lights that have worn or broken cords or loose bulbs. Also follow manufacturers' instructions for the maximum number of light strands to connect.
• Avoid paper decorations or other flammable materials.
• Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.
"It's also important to follow precautions even with artificial trees, since they can ignite from electrical malfunctions or being placed too close to a heat source," said Assistant Fire Chief Kevin Christensen. For more fire safety information, contact the St. Charles Fire Department at (630) 377-4458.
About the City of St. Charles
Friendly neighborhoods, diverse retailers, international employers, innovative schools, beautiful parks, varied cultural amenities, and unique architecture have earned St. Charles its reputation as the Pride of the Fox. Located in both DuPage and Kane counties, the City of St. Charles is 35 miles west of downtown Chicago, and has a population of approximately 33,000. Over 2,100 businesses, consisting of a balanced mix of retailers, restaurants and manufacturing facilities, employ more than 18,000 people. The City of St. Charles was named the #1 City for Families by Family Circle® magazine in 2011; one of the "150 Great Places in Illinois," by the AIA Illinois; and one of the "Top 10 Towns To Live In" by West Suburban Living magazine. Visit www.stcharlesil.gov.