You wouldn't let your friend stand buried in snow at the curb in front of your house, would you? Of course not! And yet, if your house were on fire, a fire hydrant could be the best friend you have. A fast and adequate water supply for the fire department can make the difference between minor damage and major destruction. The folks from public works are aware of the hydrants and try very hard to avoid covering them with plowed snow. However, and especially in cul-de-sac's, this is very difficult to do as there isn't much space to pile the snow between driveways, mailboxes and fire hydrants. If you are fortunate enough to have a hydrant in front of your house, do the fire department and yourself a favor by clearing the snow away and making hydrants visible from the street.

Fire Dept. Offers Free Home Inspections

In 2011 there were 2,695 fire deaths, 14,740 injuries in 480,500 structure fires in the United States. 82% of all fire deaths occurred in the home.  Fire can happen in any home. Understanding what you can do to improve fire safety in your own home could help save most of the lives and prevent the injuries that otherwise would occur.

Are you aware that the Geneva Fire Department offers free residential home inspections as a valuable service to the residents of Geneva? You can have your home inspected at no charge by a Geneva firefighter. A professional inspection can help save lives and property. Your home inspection will cover many areas of potential hazards and will equip you with the knowledge to keep you and your family safe year around.  In addition to an inspection, additional information is provided on home safety. Family safety information provided includes home escape plans, smoke detector testing and fire extinguisher use.

A written report is left with the homeowner at the end of each inspection. Your inspector will point out areas of concern and may recommend corrections to be made. You may receive a recommendation to consult with a qualified professional with experience. You should seek a professional with the proper certifications, insurance, bonding and references.

This program is completely voluntary. No copies of your inspection will be kept at the fire department and no reinspection will be made unless you request one. If areas of concern are found, they will be pointed out to the homeowner. The goal is to make you, the homeowner aware of dangers in their homes and to provide options to correct these dangers.

Residential inspections are conducted by appointment only. The visit to your home will be scheduled at your convenience which typically is in the early evening or weekends.  If you have any questions regarding this or any other issues please call the Geneva Fire Department at (630) 232-2530 or you can visit our web site at http://www.geneva.il.us/fd/gfd.htm 

What Kind of Smoke Detector Should You Use?

Fires can have different characteristics. Some can flame and spread quickly while other fires may take more time to spread but produce more smoke. While types of fires may be different, any type of fire will pose a danger. 

Smoke alarm technology has advanced over the years and consumers today have choices on what technology to use in their homes. While understanding what types of alarms are available is important, it is critical to remember that installing working UL-listed alarms and testing them regularly is the key to providing you additional notice and increased time to escape a fire.

Experts divide home fires into two categories:

• Flaming fires result from the ignition of items such as flammable liquids, wood or paper, or from open flames, such as candles that ignite other items. These fires produce large quantities of flames and lesser amounts of smoke.
• Smoldering fires most often occur when smoking materials, such as cigarettes, are left unattended. These fires produce minimal amounts of flames, but larger quantities of smoke.

Data shows that 93 percent of all residential fires are flaming and that flaming fires account for 75 percent of residential fire deaths. Together, both types of residential fires claim about 2,650 lives annually (NFPA).

Smoke Alarm Technologies

There are two types of smoke alarm technologies currently available to homeowners: ionization and photoelectric. Smoke alarms may be purchased with either ionization or photoelectric technology, or in a dual-sensor smoke alarm that combines both technologies into one unit.

• Ionization smoke alarms may detect flaming fires sooner as these fires generally release millions of smaller and less visible charged ("ionized") fire particles. These particles interfere with the electrical current that flows through the detection chamber which then triggers the alarm to sound.
• Photoelectric smoke alarms may detect smoldering fires sooner as these fires generally produce larger, more visible fire particles. These particles interfere with and reflect the alarm's light beam, which then triggers the alarm to sound.  

Since it can't be predicted what type of fire will start in a home, it is important that both smoldering and flaming fires are detected as quickly as possible. Therefore, it is vital that the correct type (technology) of smoke alarm and their placement (location) within the home be utilized correctly. Additionally, you can leverage the strengths of each technology by considering the location and environment they are placed in. For example, some studies have shown that ionization smoke alarms may be more prone to nuisance alarms, such as those that occur due to cooking.  Consumers may reduce that potential by placing ionization smoke alarms at least 20 feet from appliances, or by installing a photoelectric alarm near a cooking area. Most smoking-material fires, which tend to smolder, begin in a den, family room, living room or bedroom. Families with members who smoke may consider installing photoelectric alarms or dual-sensor alarms in those areas.

The most important thing is to ensure that you have working smoke alarms on every floor of your home, inside each bedroom and outside sleeping areas.

City Hall Native Prairie Garden

In October of 2012, to recognize the Centennial celebration of City Hall, the city was able to plant a new native prairie garden and an Oak Tree grove. The Garden will sustain itself on average rainfall. A "community of plants" has been chosen which will thrive together, reducing the turf to be mowed, weeds to be mowed, and required water. The new gardens and trees would not have been possible without gracious donations of all product, design work, and installation from Midwest Groundcovers, Midwest Trading Company, Northwind Perennial Farm, WRD Environmental, the city's Natural Resource Committee, (a subcommittee of the Strategic Plan Advisory Committee), and the Geneva Lions Club and city staff.

Geneva Winter Market - 27 N. Bennett St.

The Geneva Winter Market (farmer's market) is now open in its winter location, 27 N. Bennett Street/Geneva Place. The winter market will be open from 9am - 1pm every Saturday through May. The Winter Market has a surprising array of fresh vegetables and other produce. If you are seeking quality,, locally-grown food products, check out the Winter Market. Staples include eggs, chicken, beef, pork, lamb, bread, cheese, fresh produce including greens, squash, potato, onion, beets, carrots, and peppers.

Sundays Are Special in Geneva - Over 100 Shops Open

Downtown Geneva is OPEN on Sundays! Did you know over 100 shops and restaurants are regularly open on Sundays in Geneva's historic downtown shopping district? Shops and restaurants in downtown Geneva will be hosting special events and activities. A complete list of special Sunday events can be found at www.genevadowntown.org. Events will be added continuously so check back often to see what is happening on any given Sunday in downtown Geneva!

Dancing With Geneva Stars Gala - February 9, 2013

Geneva Film Festival - Save the Date - March 28-30, 2013

Preparations are being made for the 2013 Geneva Film Festival which will be held March 28-30 in downtown Geneva.  If you have not seen an independent film festival and like films, this is a real treat. For less than $10, viewers are able to watch several films from the United States and around the globe in a variety of formats such as narratives, documentaries, animated films, student films, as well as films produced right here in the Chicago area.  The Film Festival's committee of judges will review approximately 80 entries to select the best films from each category to screen for the public.  Several films shown at the Geneva Film Festival have been picked up for distribution by national and international distributors and TV networks.  To find out more about the Geneva Film Festival visit: www.genevafilmfestival.org or find them on Facebook.

City Special Event Application

Beautiful Geneva is an ideal location to hold a special event or festival. Centrally located as the Kane County seat of government, the City is home to pleasing neighborhoods, short walkable city blocks, the Fox River and Fox River Bike trail, many non-profit agencies, a vibrant Chamber of Commerce, a strong business community, and active citizens.

Since 2002 the number of events held in the City has increased and the City uses a "Special Event Application" form to approve requests to host events in the City which are public events using public property and/or services. Application forms are submitted to the City Economic Development Department and then routed to each City Department for approval. If you intend on hosting an event, please contact Ellen Divita, Director of Economic Development at (630) 232-7449, or edivita@geneva.il.us. The form can be found at: http://www.genevadowntown.org/?cat=78.

Live Windows On State - Thanks Again!

For the fourth year, during Christmas Walk, downtown businesses hosted local students in "live window" displays. The windows remain a hit and great entertainment. The students drew attention to State Street and earned service credits from the High School. Our thanks to Geneva High School Principle Tom Rogers, Mary Keyser, and Emma Williams for helping the City Economic Development Department in matching students with businesses! Twenty-two businesses participated this year bringing extra entertainment to the Chamber of Commerce's Annual Christmas Walk.

Open Your Business in Geneva!

Considering opening your own business in Geneva? Contact the Economic Development Department at (630) 232-7449. Our Geneva Business Resource Guide will help you identify City, County, and State resources to help you in your business planning. The Geneva Community Profile contains statistics and cost information to help you with your business plan, plus we can help you identify available properties. These documents and more information is found online. Thank you for considering Geneva!

Fall In Love with Geneva

Fall in Love with Downtown Geneva during the month of February. Visit participating stores and restaurants to enter to win a meal from one of Geneva's fabulous restaurants or a $25 gift certificate from one of Geneva's downtown shops. There is no cost to enter. A list of participating shops will be available on www.genevadowntown.org by mid-January.

All Geneva Business Directory is Online

Geneva at your fingertips! A listing of all Geneva businesses is now on-line to help you identify local goods and services: http://www.genevadowntown.org/?page_id=5030 

Welcome to these new Geneva businesses:

Lilka's Closet at 217 S. Third Street

Congratulations on your new location:

Coming Soon:

Welcome a New Owner: