Welcome to the Toms River Fire Prevention Bureau's new home on the world wide web. This page will be regularly updated with relevant fire prevention topics. All of the pages within this site will be kept up to date to help you, help us, prevent fires!

The Toms River Bureau of Fire Prevention reminds residents to give the gift of love this Valentines day.
Be a Sweetheart and ensure your love ones reside in a safe enviorment.
Check to ensure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are operable and that you have developed and practiced your family escape plans
Continue to participate in your New Years Resolution to "Resolve to be safe"

1. I resolve to maintain Smoke and Carbon Monoxide detectors in my home

2. I will reduce the chance of fire by performing self inspections of my home and discard items not needed,checking heating systems,electrical cords,spaceheaters.clothes dryers etc

3. I will develop and practice a family escape plan and practice it regularly

4. I will not leave food cooking unattended

5. I will develop a home emergency kit for all types of emergencies and ensure every member of the family is trained

6. I will encourage fire safety amongst family and friends by leading by example

7. I will watch "FIRE IS" on this web site with my family to show the reality of real fire not just hollywood style.

Tragedy frequently strikes in the winter months caused by heating equipment such as space heaters , fireplaces,and improperly disposed of ashes. RESOLVE TO BE SAFE

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.Prevent Christmas Tree fires.
-Select a fresh green tree with branches that bend but do not break.
- Water! Keep the tree in water always.
- Keep the tree away from heat sources.
- Only keep the trees inside for 2 weeks.
- Recycle the trees at the curb, not in your fireplace.

Maintain your holiday lighting
- Inspect all strands and plugs prior to installation. Replace any damaged strands.
- Use UL or CPSC approved lighting
- Join no more than 3 strands of lights together
- Check the condition of the lights periodically.
- Do not leave them unattended.

Holiday Decorations & Candles
- Use products labeled as flame retardant or non flammable.
- Keep decorations away from heat sources.
- Use candles only as decor, do not light them.
- Keep candles on stable surfaces and away from flammables if you do light them.
- Never leave a candle lit while not around

More cooking fires are reported on Thanksgiving Day than any other day during the year. Firefighters across the nation responded to more than 1300 home fires involving cooking equipment on Thanksgiving Day, Roughly 3 times the daily average of cooking fires. In a three year period cooking fires in general were responsible for over 150,000 structural fires, causing 500 fatalities, 4700 injuries, and over 750 million dollars in property damage.

Unattended cooking is by far the leading factor in these fires according to a news release from the NFPA.

The Toms River Bureau of Fire Prevention offers the residents of Toms River the following safety tips to ensure our community enjoys a safe and festive holiday with family and friends.
- Be alert don't consume alcohol while cooking
- Stay in the kitchen while cooking, frying, or grilling, if you have to leave, turn off the burners.
- Keep all combustibles away from the stove top, such as paper towels, oven mits, and wooden utensils.

Should a fire occur:
- Keep a lid nearby when cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and shutting off the stove top. Leave the pan covered until completely cooled.
- For an oven fire, turn off the heat and leave the oven door closed.
- Should you decide to extinguish a small contained fire, make sure all occupants are evacuating and you have a clear path out. Ensure someone is calling 911.

On behalf of the Fire Prevention Bureau, we wish all a safe and joyous holiday season.