City Sets up Branch Collection, Cooling Center Open

As a result of today's severe storm the City of Crystal Lake has set up branch and limb collection times.

The City of Crystal Lake Public Works Department will conduct the special branch and limb collection starting Monday, July 18. According to the city, crews will pass through each city street only once, so residents should have any brush, branches or tree limbs that they wish to be collected moved to the parkway by 7 a.m. July 18 to ensure that it will be picked up.

The city will open the brush drop-off center, located at the intersection of Coventry Lane and Dartmoor Drive. Residents can drop off brush, branches or tree limbs at Wastewater Treatment Plant #2 during the following times:

• Tuesday, July 12: 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, July 13: 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Thursday, July 14: 8: a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Friday, July 15: 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Saturday, July 16: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Cooling Center

School District 47 has opened a cooling center at Woods Creek Elementary School, 1100 Alexandra Boulevard, Crystal Lake. According to the Crystal Lake Police Department, the cooling center will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. until further notice.

Refuse Collection

MDC Environmental Services has advised the City of Crystal Lake that refuse and recycling pick-up is scheduled as normal.

Food Safety

The police department released the following information pertaining to food safety during power outages:

If the power is out for less than two hours, the food in refrigerators and freezers will be safe to consume. While the power is out, keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to keep food cold.

If the power is out longer than two hours, follow these guidelines:

• For the freezer section: A freezer that is half full will hold food safely for up to 24 hours. A full freezer will hold food safely for 48 hours. Do not open the freezer door if you can avoid it.
• For the refrigerated section: Pack milk, other dairy products, meat, fish, eggs, gravy, and spoilable leftovers into a cooler surrounded by ice. Inexpensive Styrofoam coolers are fine for this purpose.
• Use a food thermometer to check the temperature of food right before cooking or eating it. Throw away any food that has a temperature of more than 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

For more information, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) at

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/poweroutage/needtoknow.asp.