Pesach

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) wants everyone celebrating to have a joyful and safe holiday during the Pesach period. To help prevent damage to you, your family and property here are a few safety tips to consider;

Smoke alarms

  • Fit a smoke alarm in every level of your home.

  • Test the batteries in your smoke alarm at least monthly and change them every year – never remove them.

  • Install a smoke detector in each room where candles are being used.

Preparing the kitchen for Pesach

  • Take great care when using aluminium foil. Foiling a gas hob is extremely hazardous as it limits the burning of the flame and creates dangerous levels of Carbon Monoxide in your home.

  • Do not use aluminium foil in the microwave.

  • Install a Carbon Monoxide detector.

Candle safety

  • Fit smoke alarms in all rooms where candles are used.

  • Make sure the candle is standing up right and is firmly fixed in a candle holder to avoid it falling over and catching fire.

  • Always place candles on a heat resistance surface.

  • Keep candles out of draughts, blowing curtains and sources of heat or direct sunlight.

  • Always leave at least 10cm between two candles and never place them under shelves or other surfaces.

  • Extinguish candles before they burn into holders.

  • Burn call candles well out of reach of children and pets.

  • Always put candles out before you move them. 

In case of fire whilst cooking

  • Don't panic and don't take risks.

  • Don't move a pan which has caught fire.

  • Never throw water or use a water fire extinguisher on a hot fat fire.

  • If it's safe to do so - turn off the heat, but never lean over the pan to reach the controls.

  • Leave the kitchen, close the door behind you, tell everyone else in the home to get out and don't go back inside for any reason.

  • Remember pikuach nefesh: call 999.

Electrical safety

  • Check electrical cables before use. Do not use any appliance such as a hotplate or water heater if the cable appears damaged.

  • Keep electrical leads and appliances away from water.

  • Check the hotplate is clean and away from curtains and kitchen rolls.

  • Turn off electrical appliances when they are not being used.

  • Don't overload sockets - only use one plug in each socket.

  • If you have to use more than one plug per socket, use a fused adaptor and keep the total output to no more than 13 amps.

Bedikat chametz

  • Keep candles away from flammable objects; be especially careful near curtains, tablecloths, beds and sofas as these types of items are easily ignitable.

  • Supervise children, closely, at all times.

  • Do not leave candles unattended; make sure to extinguish them when you are finished.

Burning chametz

  • Use a designated outdoor area, clear of combustibles and located well away any structures.

  • Use extreme caution when lighting a fire and never use any type of accelerant (e.g. paraffin or petrol) to increase the flame.

  • An adult should constantly attend to fires, never leaving them unattended. Always make sure children are supervised.

  • Have a fire extinguisher or a garden hose connected to a water supply, readily available, to extinguish the fire, if necessary.