Politics & Government

DuPage Sheriff Warns Seniors About Heat, Urges 'Guardian' Signup

The safety system makes regular phone calls to at-risk residents (also including the disabled) to make sure they're okay; it has already saved "several lives."

The DuPage County Sheriff’s Office is encouraging senior citizens in the County to register with the Guardian System, available to all alone-living DuPage residents over 62 or disabled, in order to “ensure the well being of seniors and the physically disabled living throughout the county.” 

According to a Sheriff’s Office release, the Guardian system phones its members at predetermined times and requires a four-digit code to be entered by the member; if it is not entered, and the person cannot be reached, an officer is dispatched to check up on the resident. 

“As summer temperatures rise in the Chicago area, senior citizens can be especially vulnerable to heat exhaustion, heat stroke or even death if their homes do not have fans or air conditioning,” DuPage County Sheriff John E. Zaruba said in a press release.

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“In warm weather seniors tend to overdress, drink less fluids and not take the steps to cool down when needed… With warm temperatures, there are many senior citizens out there who need to be checked on, and that's what Guardian is designed to do.” 

The system has already saved several lives since its 1997 implementation, the Sheriff’s Office said. 

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More information on the Guardian system, including how to sign up, is available at the DuPage County Sheriff’s website or at 630-407-2400.


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