With the High Holiday Season upon us, the Lakewood Volunteer Fire Department would like to remind the community to be mindful of the following safety hazards and take steps to ensure safety all around.

KITCHEN

• The blech should be positioned to allow heat to escape on all sides.
• NEVER cover any vents. Leave all vents open to allow heat to escape. Failure to do so will destroy your oven and can likely cause a fire.
• Many people keep a burner on for the duration of the holiday. Preferably, choose a back burner. When not in use it is a good idea to keep a pot of water over a lowered flame to serve as visual reminder.
• If you can, leave a window nearby open a bit.
• A safer method of cooking is to use an electric burner with a timer. You will avoid any potential carbon monoxide and the burner will only be on when needed.
• Appliances – Keep all appliances away from the edge of the counter and all wires safely out of the way. Leave ample space around any appliances to allow air to circulate and minimize the buildup of heat. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR APPLIANCES ARE UL COMLIANT AND THAT THEY ARE IN OPTIMAL CONDITION.
• A timer may be used with hotplates and crock pots etc. Speak to your Rav, before the holiday, if you need further clarification using timers.
• Yahrtzeit Candles – Place these on a heat resistant surface and away from any flammable objects.

SUKKAH

• Lights should be placed well away from the schach and decorations.
• DO NOT overload electrical timers/outlets and only use timers intended for the desired use.
• Extension cords should be rated for outdoor use and in excellent physical condition.
• Place candles on a sturdy, heat resistant surface well away from flammable materials.
• Candles should be placed so they are not subject to winds that can blow them over.
• Keep candles out of children’s reach or where they can be easily knocked over.
• NEVER leave candles unattended or go to sleep while they are still lit.

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE WORKING SMOKE ALARMS AND CARBON MONOXIDE DECTECTORS IN YOUR HOME. At the minimum have at least one working smoke alarm on each floor and near the sleeping area. Place a carbon monoxide detector outside each sleeping area in the home.

Calling the Fire Department on Yontif – NEVER hesitate to call the fire department even for the slightest suspicion of danger. What may appear to the uneducated to be ‘nothing’ can, in fact, be deadly. Call your Rav for clarification, BEFORE the holiday. Once a situation arises it may be too late to start debating Halacha.

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