Celebrate living, working and thriving in Marseilles!

Greetings!

As we close in on Christmas; On behalf of myself and the City Council along with all our staff we want to wish you a very happy, and safe Christmas!🎄

The City would like to thank the Marseilles Elementary School for providing buses every year for our annual trips over to Rotary Park in LaSalle. This is a great annual event for our senior citizens who may not be able to see the beauty at Rotary Park and anyone who wants to enjoy the decorations. Every year the display gets larger. Congratulations to Mayor Jeff Grove along with LaSalle Public Works and all the other volunteers that work hard to provide us with this opportunity. 

This season is predicted to be a colder than normal winter which we have already experienced and are experiencing now with the cold. We want to make sure that everyone stays as safe as possible. City Hall, the Fire Department, and Marseilles Ministerial Association Community Center are warming shelters. If you’re in need of a warming shelter call the police department non-emergency number and arrangements will be made. 

Cold Weather Safety Tips

When you are outside, frostbite and hypothermia are possible, so you need to protect yourself.

1. Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing.
2. Wear a hat. Try to stay dry and out of the wind.
3. Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold.
4. Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves.

Ice Safety

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/ice/thickness.html

1. To keep pipes from freezing on an outside wall:
2. Let hot and cold-water trickle or drip at night from a faucet.
3. Open cabinet doors to allow more heat to get to un-insulated pipes under a sink or near an outer wall.
4. Make sure the heat is left on and set no lower than 55 degrees.
5. If you plan to be away: (1) Have someone, check your house daily to make sure the heat is still on to prevent freezing, or (2) drain and shut off the water system (except indoor sprinkler systems).



If Pipes Freeze:

1. Make sure you and your family knows how to shut off the water, in case pipes burst.
2. NEVER try to thaw a pipe with an open flame or torch. Use a hair dryer instead.
3. Always be careful of the potential for electric shock in and around standing water.
4. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a silent, deadly killer claiming about 1,000 lives each year in the
5. United States.

General Winter Tips:

1. Install a carbon monoxide detector.
2. NEVER run generators indoors.
3. Open a window slightly when using a kerosene heater and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
4. NEVER use a gas oven to heat your home.
5. If your heat goes out, you can keep warm indoors by closing off rooms you do not need. Dress in layers of clothing, and wearing a cap.

Wood-burning stoves, fireplaces and heaters:

1. Always keep a screen around an open flame.
2. NEVER use gasoline to start your fireplace.
3. NEVER burn charcoal indoors.
4. Do not close the damper when the ashes are hot.
5. Use only safe sources of alternative heat such as a fireplace, small well-vented wood or coal stove or portable space heaters. Always follow manufacturer’s instructions.

Animal and Pet Safety:

1. Bring pets inside
2. Provide shelter and fresh water
3. Keep salt away from paws

Vehicle Preparation:

1. Check your battery
2. Check your fluids (coolant, wiper fluid, oil, etc)
3. Check your tires
4. Always have jumper cables
5. Pack a blanket

For More information please see:

https://www.weather.gov/safety/cold-wind-chill-chart

209 Lincoln Street

Marseilles, IL 61341

815-795-2133

cityclerk@cityofmarseilles.com