Above / When it’s leaf collection season, be mindful that leaves can be slippery under foot and under wheels of vehicles. Be careful when falling leaves line the curbs and corners. October is public safety month in Naperville.
Nearly every weekday, 38 weeks a year, thousands of youngsters in Naperville head to and from school along designated school walk routes that have been mapped out by local officials to keep kids safe.
And every school day adult crossing guards, trained by the Naperville Police Department, are ready to greet the students at the intersections of major streets before and after school in accordance with neighborhood school hours.
As Public Safety Month passes the midway mark for 2016, here’s a big shout out in appreciation to all the reliable crossing guards who arrive in plenty of time to perform their duties in all kinds of weather. Thanks to dedicated school bus drivers, too, for keeping school children safe.
Families depend on all the friendly help along the way. Thank you! Thank you!
Crossing Guards & School Walk Routes
Did you know? School Walk Routes were developed through a cooperative effort between the City of Naperville’s Department of Transportation and Engineering, representatives from each of Naperville’s two school districts and the Naperville Police Department. The city updates the routes as necessary.
The speed limit on all neighborhood streets is 25 mph unless otherwise noted.
A few locations throughout the city have School Speed Limit 20 MPH yellow flashers that activate when the guard is on duty. Many of the elementary schools also have volunteer adult traffic safety supervisors. These supervisors are recruited by the individual schools to assist with school safety in front of the school and at nearby crossings. The Naperville Police Department trains volunteer supervisors and also arranges for the School Crossing Guards.
In addition, a number of the crossing guards take on double duty as friendly lunchtime helpers in the cafeteria, getting to know the kids in the most familiar ways. Anyone who has ever watched students cross and greet the crossing guards has witnessed the special, kind relationships most of them share.
Maps of the school walk routes and traffic control plans are available in PDFs on the city’s website.
Special October events with focus on safety
The entire month of October is dedicated to public safety education in Naperville. The Naperville Public Safety Open House held in early October welcomes families to meet and greet members of the Naperville Police and Fire Departments, dedicated men and women who keep the community safe.
Many other public events, some with a nominal fee, are scheduled around town to create awareness, offering opportunities to engage in safety activities designed to educate all ages.
As the colorful leaves fall and pile up along the curbs, remember never ever to park on top of the leaf piles.
Four years ago on Halloween, PN caught the horrible sight of a vehicle that had been parked atop dry leaves waiting to pick up school children. Fortunately, everyone got out of the van just in time.
4:30-7PM Wed., Oct. 19 / Fire 9-11 at Fire Station 7 at the Public Safety Center / After a rain out of events on the first Saturday of October when the Naperville Fire Department and the Naperville Police Department prepared to showcase what they do to help keep this community safe every season of the year, the NFD has rescheduled its demonstrations.
The community is welcome to the Public Safety Open House at Fire Station 7 held on the campus of the Naperville Public Safety Center, located along Aurora Avenue at River Road. Come meet Naperville first responders and Sparky the Fire Dog.
The interactive event is free of charge and what young people learn is priceless.
6PM Thurs., Oct 20, 2016 / Citizens Appreciate Public Safety (CAPS) Dinner to honor the Naperville Fire Department at the Pavilion at Meson Sabika / The family-oriented event honoring the Fire Department nominees will begin at 6PM. Thursday, October 20 in the Pavilion at Meson Sabika. Emergency fire vehicles again will be staged in the parking lot. Tickets are $20 per person and may be purchased at the Naperville Fire Department located at 1380 Aurora Ave. The public is welcome.
10AM-2PM Sat., Oct. 29, 2016 / Trick or Treat at Safety Town / The Naperville Junior Womans Club will host its annual Trick or Treat at Safety Town from 10AM-2PM Sat., Oct. 29. Admission is $1 per person and a nonperishable item for Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry. Safety Town also is located on the Naperville Public Safety Campus at the corner of Aurora Avenue and River Road.
4:30-8PM Mon., Oct 31, 2016 / While the City of Naperville has no set hours for door-to-door trick or treating, most families adhere to the hours that end at 8PM. Residents are reminded to stay safe while trick-or-treating. If you still need a stash of treats for the costumed kids likely to arrive at your doorstep, check out the displays at Oswald’s for candy, stickers, glow sticks and other novelties that make great giveaways on Halloween evening.
Drive safely!
Remind young drivers that the speed limit in Naperville is 25 mph unless otherwise posted.
Note lower speed limits in school zones.
Alert young drivers who might be driving during their first autumn leaf season to be mindful of slippery leaves at stop signs or when navigating around corners.
Watch out for trick-or-treaters on Halloween evening.
For the schedule of the six-week Naperville Curbside Leaf Collection that begins on Oct. 17, 2016, click here. The schedule also includes safety precautions that will help prevent fires and flooding. Thanks for reading.
