In recent years, dozens of fires have broken out in residential areas as a result of candles being lit in an unsafe manner. Therefore, it is important to take Precautions & follow the following guidelines:
- Most “arts and crafts” Menorah made by children are not suitable for lighting and may burn down when used. These Menorahs shall only be used for decoration purposes
- Place the Menorah on a sturdy surface made of nonflammable material such as marble, glass or metal. (If unavailable Cover with Foil or a Pan).
- Place the Menorah candles ONLY inside the Menorah or candlesticks made of nonflammable material.
- Do not place the Menorah near or under any flammable material such as curtains, Napkins or books.
- Do not walk around while holding a lit candle.
- Do not place the Menorah in a location where it can be knocked over -either by a passing person the wind or where something can fall on it.
- Keep matches and lit objects away from children.
- Make sure Children or pets cannot reach the Menorah.
- Never leave a lit Menorah unattended!
- If you must leave be sure to completely extinguish the Menorah.
- Make sure your smoke & Fire Detector are in working order Check & Replace your batteries if necessary.
- Keep an up to date charged fire extinguisher in a easy to reach place and know how to use in case of g-d forbid a fire was to occur.
- Another Chanukah fire hazard is the hot cooking oil we use to fry latkes and doughnuts, never leave it unattended as the oil can ignite & cause a kitchen fire.
- In Case the Oil ignites DO NOT spray with water, Shut the fire & Cover with a pan to smother the flames or use an approved fire extinguisher.
Following these safety instructions can help us all stay safe & prevent a disaster.
The Lakewood Volunteer Fire Dept, Chiefs & Line Officers.
Happy Chanukah!
Thanks to all our Volunteers that do it all for free.
Shomer mitzvah lo yeeda dovor raa! where is the Bitochon on this very special night of Chanuka?
what should I do with the wooden menora my son brought home from the Cheder? Is that not safe to use? I called the Rebbi he said they have been making these menoras for 35 years. What am I missing?
To Yeshiva Guy,
There is no lack of bitachon here. This is called hishtadlus. We still need to make safe choices. That said, countless fires have happened over the years. The public still needs to be educated.
To Devorah,
Technically, having a wooden menorah doesn’t mean a fire will occur. Over 35 years, there may have been relatively few fires caused by these menorahs. Hence, the Rebby’s reply “we’ve been doing this for 35 years…”. However, fires do occur, sometimes with devastating results. The schools are largely unaware and don’t see what the Fire Department sees all the time. It is best NOT to use these wooden menorahs. Would you gamble on your lives because “most of the time nothing happens…” Be smart’ be safe’ and stay alive.
An LFD Volunteer.
They have been making them for 35 years & I myself made and used them. Still, when my son used one last year it went on fire within a few minutes!
Yeshiva Guy,
I guess you are the guy who does bedichas chometz with a candle while you are checking under the bed. you have that much betachon?? growing up I had a neighbor who did exactly that. they lost a son in that fire.
yes fire KILLS why in the world do you want to play around with your life.
since you seem to have access to the internet check out this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB42Ib3A4mg what i want to get across to you is how long (or short) it takes for an entire room to be engulfed in flames
Enjoy yom tov BUT BE SAFE. FIRE KILLS.
Why don’t you wrap the wooden menorah in Aluminum Foil? this way the wooden menorah will last and you don’t need to worry about a fire.
Devorah,
99% of the schools stopped making those menorahs about five years ago when fires started flaring up every year, though there are still a couple of diehards that refuse to let go of the “mesorah.”
I think that over the years people started getting more careless & that’s when fires started happening.