Health & Safety
The health and safety of our community is important. We hope the information provided here adds to the well-being of you and your family and is a useful guide for emergency preparedness.

 

Village Ranked 4th Safest City
Bartlett has been ranked the fourth safest city in America by www.neighborhoodscout.com and is the only municipality in the state of Illinois ranked in the top 10.

According to the website’s analysis of 2011 FBI crime statistics, Bartlett is safer than 89% of the cities and towns in the U.S. of all population sizes. If you live in Bartlett, your chance of becoming a victim of crime in the community is 1 in 135. The U.S. average across communities, from largest to smallest is 1 in 30.

NeighborhoodScout looked at the seven offenses from the uniform crime reports, collected by the FBI from 17,000 local law enforcement agencies, including both violent and property crimes. Violent crimes such as assault, rape, murder and armed robbery happen less often in Bartlett than in most of America. Your chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime here is one in 2,591, which is a violent crime rate of zero per 1,000 inhabitants.

NeighborhoodScout's analysis reveals that the property crime rate in Bartlett is below average. This means that you are less likely to become a victim of arson, motor vehicle theft, larceny, or burglary in Bartlett than in most communities in America. Your chance is just one in 143.

The Massachusetts based company began in 2002, and the website is owned by Location, Inc. The company touts itself as "a geographic research and data mining company born of university research, specializing in location analysis, demographic and school data information products, and location-based decision-making tools for businesses and consumers."

Village President Michael Airdo in response to the ranking information stated, "Bartlett’s commitment to safety is unparalleled. Our ongoing strategy is to engage the community directly to determine the best course of action regarding a given problem. We believe in being proactive and connected to our residents with a solution-oriented mindset. While we are proud to have earned this distinction, there is no finish line for fighting crime, and we strive to remain vigilant to our mission of community safety."

More information may be found at www.neighborhoodscout.com/il/bartlett/crime.

 

Don't Fall Victim to a Scam
The Bartlett Police Department warns residents to beware and not fall victim to the following lottery, prize/sweepstakes or grandparent scams:

Lottery/Sweepstakes Scam
Generally, if you are the targeted victim in a lottery or prize/sweepstakes scam, you will receive a phony prize check in the mail or a telephone call or email from the con artist that says you won a large sum of money, a vehicle, or another type of prize. You will then be instructed to send or wire money after the fake check is cashed.

Grandparent Scam
Grandparent scams usually involve con artists, posing as a relative, who call you and try to convince you to send or wire money to help pay for emergency situations.

With both of these scams, the con artist usually instructs you to wire money using services such as Western Union or MoneyGram. Be careful not to fall for these fraudulent schemes.

Never wire money, provide bank or credit card information, or send a check to someone using one of these scam methods. If you believe you are a victim of a scam, contact the police department.

 

 

Distracted Driving
According to a new National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report, distracted driving-related crashes caused at least 5,500 deaths and 450,000 injuries during 2009. This data represents only the tip of the iceberg because police reports in many states and communities do not routinely document whether distraction was a factor in vehicle crashes.

Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person's attention away from the primary task of driving. There are three main types of distraction:

•Visual—taking your eyes off the road;
•Manual—taking your hands off the wheel; and
•Cognitive—taking your mind off what you are doing.

All distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety. The many types of driving distractions include:

•Texting
•Using a cell phone or a smartphone
•Eating and drinking
•Talking to passengers
•Grooming
•Reading, including maps
•Using a navigation system
•Watching a video
•Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player

Because text messaging requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver, it is by far the most alarming distraction. Studies show that when a driver looks away from the road to send an e-mail or text message, he or she is concentrating on something other than the road for 4.6 of every six seconds. At 55 miles per hour, that is like driving the length of a football field while blindfolded.

Furthermore, in Illinois it is illegal to compose, read or send a text message at any time while driving; and it is illegal for anyone to use a wireless phone while driving in a school zone or in a construction or maintenance zone unless it is in voice-activated mode.

To help maintain your focus on the road when driving, you should always:

Limit interaction with passengers
• Limit talking while driving
• Keep your eyes on the road
• Keep both hands on the wheel
Avoid driver fatigue
• Stay focused on the road
• Don’t daydream
• Don’t drive if you are tired
• Share driving responsibilities on long trips
Don’t drive when angry or upset
• Emotions can interfere with safe driving. Wait until you have cooled down or resolved problems before getting behind the wheel of a car.
Avoid gawking
• Don’t take your eyes off the road to look at a crash or other activity
If you need to use your cell phone
• Pull off the road and stop in a safe place to use your phone

Information taken from www.distraction.gov and www.cyberdriveillinois.com. Photo from www.osha.gov

 

Illinois E-Waste Laws
Beginning January 1, 2012, the disposal of computers, televisions, and other electronic devices will be banned from Illinois landfills. Under the new state law, electronic waste (E-waste) must be recycled by a registered collector, recycler and/or manufacturer.

While Republic Services will continue providing regular waste and recycling
collection, it will no longer provide curbside pickup for your electronics. The type of E-waste that will not be picked up includes: computers and monitors; printers and scanners; laptops; keyboards and mouses; fax machines; video and game consoles; TVs; cable and satellite receivers; recorders; mp3 players; DVD players and small scale servers.

These items must be dropped off at a registered E-waste collection site, such as the Goodwill store in Bartlett.

Goodwill
1420 S. IL Route 59
630-837-1410.
Donation hours:
Mon - Fri 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

In addition, the following free drop-off locations are a part of the DuPage County Electronics Recycling Program. For more DuPage County locations, visit dupageco.org/recycling or for a complete list of registered collection sites in Illinois, visit epa.state.il.us.

Hanover Park Public Works
2121 W. Lake St.
630-372-4440
Mon - Fri 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Glendale Heights
Public Services
1635 Glen Ellyn Rd.
630-260-6040
Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
(closed in winter)

Wheaton Public Works Lot
821 W. Liberty Dr.
630-260-2000
2nd Sat of month 9 a.m. to noon

Naperville Public Works & Recycling Drop-off
180 Fort Hill Dr.
630-420-6095
Tues & Thurs 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, electronics are complex devices, made with a wide variety of materials, such as lead, nickel, cadmium and mercury. These components could pose a risk to human health or the environment if mismanaged at their end of life.

Additionally, the U.S. EPA has found that recycling electronics recovers valuable materials, resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions, pollution reduction, energy savings, and resources conserved by extracting fewer raw materials from the Earth.

 

 

Importance of Seat Belt Usage

The Bartlett Police Department wants to continue educating residents about the importance of wearing safety belts while driving or riding inside a vehicle. In 2010, Illinois had a 92.6% compliance rate for seat belts. This was a slight increase from 2009, when the seat belt compliance rate was 91.7%. More importantly, 2010 was the second year in a row for Illinois to record fewer than 1,000 auto fatalities. Increased seat belt usage has been credited for achieving this two-year milestone, which has not occurred since 1921.

Effective January 1, 2012, the State of Illinois will require drivers and passengers of all ages, not just front seat passengers, to wear seat belts.

 

 

Prescription Drug Drop-off
The Village of Bartlett will be collecting unused prescription drugs, OTC medications and sharps once a month, beginning in September. . Items can be dropped off inside Village Hall, 228 S. Main Street, from 9 a.m. to noon on the last Saturday of each month. Individuals dropping off sharps will be responsible for putting the sharps in the container; Village staff WILL NOT be handling the sharps.

Items accepted in the program include, non-controlled prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, liquid medication in leak-proof containers, pet medications, vitamins/supplements, ointments, lotions, homeopathic remedies, suppositories and sharps, such as needles and syringes.

No controlled substances or personal care items will be accepted. Thermometers, IV bags, bloody and infectious waste, empty containers, hydrogen peroxide, aerosol cans and full inhalers are also not acceptable.

For more information, call Steven Bosco, 630-837-0800.

State Emergency Contact Database
The Illinois Secretary of State has a new emergency program that allows Illinois instruction permit, driver’s license and identification card holders to enter their emergency contact information into a voluntary, secure database. In the event of a motor vehicle crash or other emergency situation where a person is unable to communicate directly, law enforcement may access this database to help locate the person’s designated emergency contacts.

To submit information, visit www.cyberdriveillinois.com and click on “Emergency Contact Database.”

Participants can add, modify or delete their emergency contact information at any time by visiting this web page. If you hold both an Illinois driver’s license or permit and an Illinois ID card, the emergency contact information can be entered for both cards in one transaction if you so choose.

You may select one or two persons as your emergency contacts and are encouraged to share your participation with the contacts you have chosen.

 

Clean Air Counts in Bartlett
If the air around Bartlett starts to seem cleaner, it may have something to do with the Village joining the Clean Air Counts campaign. Clean Air Counts is a northeastern Illinois initiative to reduce ozone-causing emissions to improve air quality and reduce energy consumption. The initiative is a collaborative effort between the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, City of Chicago, United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

The Village of Bartlett is now one of more than 30 different municipalities that have joined this group. As a member of Clean Air Counts, the Village will promote ways in which homeowners, businesses and people can work together to reduce air pollution. Such promotions include articles in the Bartletter, informational handouts at Village Hall for businesses, homeowners and contractors, and news about upcoming programs on the Village’s website. 

For more information on the Clean Air Counts initiative, please visit www.cleanaircounts.org 

 

Be Prepared for Emergencies
Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. According to the American Red Cross, “Disaster can force you to evacuate your neighborhood, workplace or school or can confine you to your home. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone right away. Therefore, the best way to make you and your family safer is to be prepared before disaster strikes.”

Make a family communications plan that includes an evacuation plan and coordinates with your school, work and community communication plans. Practice this plan with your entire family. Build a disaster supplies kit that includes enough supplies for each family member for three days.

Disaster supplies kit
There are six basics you should stock for your home in case of an emergency: water, food, first aid supplies, clothing and bedding, tools and emergency supplies, and special items for medical conditions. Keep the items that you would most likely need during an evacuation in an easy-to carry container. Possible containers include a large, covered trash container, a camping backpack or a duffel bag.
Water: Store water inplastic containers such as soft drink bottles, one gallon of water per person per day. Keep at least a three-day supply of water per person for drinking, sanitation and food preparation. Children, nursing mothers, and ill people will need more.
Food: Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking, and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno. Include ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables; protein or fruit bars; dry cereal or granola; peanut butter; dried fruit; nuts; crackers; canned juices; non-perishable pasteurized milk.
First Aid Kit: Assemble first aid kits for your home and for each car. Include assorted sizes of bandages, sterile dressings and gauze pads; antiseptic wipes; large medical grade non-latex gloves; adhesive tape; anti-bacterial ointment; cold pack; scissors; tweezers; CPR breathing barrier, such as a face shield. Include non-prescription medicines, such as aspirin or pain relievers; anti-diarrhea medication; antacid; syrup of ipecac and/or activated charcoal; laxative.
Clothing and Bedding: Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person. Include sturdy shoes or work boots; rain gear; blankets or sleeping bags; hat and gloves; thermal underwear; sunglasses.
Tools and Supplies: Mess kits, or paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils; emergency preparedness manual; battery-operated radio, flashlight and extra batteries; cash or traveler's checks, change; non-electric can opener, utility knife; small fire extinguisher; tube tent; pliers; tape; compass; matches in a waterproof container; aluminum foil; plastic storage containers; signal flare; paper, pencil; needles, thread; medicine dropper; shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water; whistle; plastic sheeting; map of the area (for locating shelters). For sanitation, stock toilet paper, towelettes; soap, liquid detergent; feminine supplies; personal hygiene items; plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses); plastic bucket with tight lid; disinfectant.
Special Items & Family Documents: Remember family members with special requirements. For babies, formula; diapers; bottles; powdered milk. For adults, heart, high blood pressure and other prescription medication; insulin; denture needs; contact lenses and extra eye glasses.
Don’t forget important family documents. Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container: will, insurance policies, contracts deeds, stocks and bonds, passports, social security cards, immunization records, bank account numbers, credit card numbers and companies
inventory of household goods, important telephone numbers, family records (birth, marriage, death certificates).
Store your kit in a place known to all family members. Keep a smaller version of the kit in the trunk of your car. Keep items in airtight plastic bags. Change your stored water supply and replace stored food every six months so it stays fresh. Replace batteries, update clothes, and re-think your kit and family needs yearly.
Emergency Preparedness information taken from the American Red Cross website at www.redcross.org