City of Elmhurst

Public Education

Fire & Home Safety

911 information

Here are a couple of hints that will make accessing the emergency system easier, therefore allowing the department to respond more quickly. Thanks for your help!!

Dial 911...fire, ambulance & police

911...these are the only numbers you need to remember in an emergency. No longer do you have to thumb through the phone book or find that list next to the phone...just dial 911. The 911 system in DuPage County is an enhanced system that gives the dispatcher your name, address, and phone number on a computer screen as soon as you call. While talking to the dispatcher please remain calm, speak slowly and describe the problem as best as you can. For all emergencies, please use the 911 system, be it for fire, medical or police. It is a very efficient system that will help protect you.

Number your homes

The Elmhurst Fire Department asks that all residents mark their homes with the correct street address in a highly visible area. Sometimes it is difficult for responding personnel to locate the house number, especially in the more wooded areas and at nighttime. Please keep you numbers conspicuously posted so we can assist you in a timely fashion. Thank you!!

Smoke Detectors Save Lives!!!

Smoke detectors are an important step in providing a fire safe environment in your home. They provide quick recognition of smoke within a dwelling and allow the occupants to more easily escape a burning building. Minimally, detectors should be placed outside of your bedrooms and on each floor of the building. If you have any questions, please give us a call and we will be pleased to answer your inquires.

The Elmhurst Fire Department wants to remind residents to check the batteries in their smoke detectors. Changing smoke alarm batteries at least once a year is one of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce tragic deaths and injuries. In fact, working smoke alarms nearly cut in half the risk of dying in a home fire.

Maintenance of your smoke detectors

Change the batteries when you change your clocks in the spring and fall
Check detectors once a month
Keep them clean by dusting regularly
Replace all types of detectors every ten years

Home Fire Safety

There are many aspects to making your home a fire safe environment. Of course, you can never completely fireproof a home, but you can greatly reduce the risk of a fire. Please make your best effort to implement these simple fire safety rules in your home.

Fire Safety Guidelines

Install smoke detectors in proper locations and maintain them well. There should be a smoke detector on each level of the house and outside all sleeping areas.
Change the batteries when the clocks are changed in the spring and fall.
Replace your detectors every ten years.
Install a heat detector in your attached garage.
Develop escape plans for all family members. These plans should include at least two means of escape and a meeting place outside the house. Make sure to practice the plan on a regular basis and post the plan where everyone can see it.
Practice Stop, Drop & Roll with your children.
Refrain from smoking in bed at all times.
Do not overload electrical sockets...avoid the octopus.
Hang ABC dry chemical fire extinguishers in the kitchen, garage, laundry room and workshops.
Have your chimney cleaned on a regular basis.
Use a screen in front of the fireplace to keep in hot embers
Have your furnace cleaned and serviced on a regular basis.
Clean your clothes dryer and dryer hose regularly to keep free of lint.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a tasteless, odorless gas that is a silent killer. The Elmhurst Fire Department requires that each home be outfitted with a carbon monoxide detector, in addition to smoke detectors. If the detector is activated, our advice is to leave the house and call 911, especially if you or your family members feel ill. The Elmhurst Fire Department is equipped to monitor your household in the event your detector goes into alarm. Please feel free to contact us if you have questions or concerns.

Municipal Code, Chapter 24

aa) Carbon Monoxide Detectors shall be provided as follows:

Outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms.
On every floor on which a fossil fuel burning boiler or furnace is located and/or in the room in which the furnace or water heater is located.
On every floor in which sleeping rooms are heated by any type of warm air heating plant that burns fossil fuel.
Ref: State of Illinois 91st General Assembly Legislation 91-HB0603 Engrossed.