KANE COUNTY—The Kane County Healthy Places Coalition is urging homeowners to have their homes tested for the presence of this odorless, tasteless and colorless gas as part of National Radon Awareness Month.

SPRINGFIELD—The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal urges everyone to pay special attention to Christmas decorations to avoid any potential dangers.

SPRINGFIELD—To help stay healthy during the holidays and all year, give the gift of health by getting an influenza vaccination to not only protect you, but others as well.

KANE COUNTY—Halloween is best known for spooky costumes and scary pranks. Unfortunately, Halloween also is becoming is one of the deadliest times of the year on roads because of drunken driving, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

GENEVA—The Delnor Foundation invites all local residents to make an impact on cancer care in the Fox Valley community by attending the 2011 Gala “Footloose and Cancer Free.”

GENEVA—Kane County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay and U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren announced last week that Kane County has been awarded a $1.04 million grant to address lead-based paint hazards in area homes and to develop a county-wide Healthy Homes Program.

SPRINGFIELD—The state fire marshall is urging families to take time to learn about important steps in fire safety during National Fire Prevention Week through this Saturday.

KANE COUNTY—Autumn is the beginning of the flu season, and now is a good time to think about protecting yourself with a flu vaccine. The Kane County Health Department encourages all residents to take the time to get a flu vaccine.

GENEVA—The LivingWell Cancer Resource Center announces several upcoming events to increase awareness and to help raise funds for the center during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October:

SPRINGFIELD—Influenza vaccine is now at local health departments, pharmacies and health care facilities around the state.

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has partnered with Illinois State Police and local law enforcement agencies across the state to kick off the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” mobilization, an intensive, two-week crackdown on impaired driving leading up to the Labor Day holiday.

SPRINGFIELD—The hottest days of summer are ahead—can you keep your home comfortable without breaking the bank? The Energy Education Council offers some simple tips to boost comfort and save on electric bills during the sultriest of days: • Make sure your air conditioner filter is clean; change or clean it monthly during the cooling season. [...]

With the thermometer expected to rise into the 90s and the humidity climbing to uncomfortably high levels Friday, the Kane County Health Department again is urging residents to take precautions as these conditions can lead to heat illness.

SPRINGFIELD—“When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors” is the slogan used by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the National Weather Service (NWS) to remind people to take cover when a thunderstorm approaches.

GENEVA—Delnor Hospital has been honored at an awards ceremony sponsored by Professional Research Consultants, Inc. for achieving exceptional physician satisfaction.

SPRINGFIELD—Weeks of rain and flooding in southern Illinois have made conditions ripe for mosquitoes.