The Office of the Ocean County Fire Marshal requested that TLS post the following message: The Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office would like to wish everyone a safe Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Succahs and would like to provide some fire safety tips for the holidays. As you hustle around to prepare for the holidays we ask that you keep the following in mind:

1. Candles – As candles are set up keep draperies and other combustible materials away and extinguish candle(s) when leaving the house. While lighting candles make sure an adult supervises or assists any child lighting them.

2. Heaters – Make sure any heating device is UL listed and approved. If you must use an electric heater or other type of space heater make sure it meets the proper clearances and ventilation as required by the manufacturer and keep away from combustible materials such as paper, bedding materials, drapes, and furniture. Also make sure it has a tip over feature in case it gets knocked over it shuts off.

3. Power – Do not overload outlets or run extension cords through doors or windows to the succah.

4. Stoves/Cooking – Do not leave stoves or ovens on for an extended period of time. Please keep the tops of stoves clear for the proper airflow of the burners to work properly and reduce the potential buildup of Carbon Monoxide.

5. Check all batteries in Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors so they are in working order.

6. If a Smoke or Carbon Monoxide Detector goes off immediately call 911.

7. Special Note– As you install the succah please be aware that this year the vegetation you may use for the top of the succah will be extremely dry, due to the less than usual rainfall. We would ask that you use a safer top covering for the succah if at all possible.