East Brunswick Fire Prevention

08/28/2026

🔥 Friday Fire Safety Tip 🔥

Back-to-school season is here. Whether you're heading to elementary school, middle school, high school, college, or technical school, there's one fire safety lesson everyone needs to know:

When the alarm sounds - Get out! A fire drill isn't just something you have to do because the school says so. It's practice for a real emergency. Regular evacuation drills help students and staff understand how to safely leave the building and where to go once they're outside.

Remember:
➡️ Know your exits. Don't rely on just the door you normally use.
➡️ Know where to go. Learn your school's designated assembly area.
➡️ Listen to your teachers and staff. Stay with your class or group.
➡️ Never go back inside until you're told it is safe.
➡️ Don't treat an alarm like a joke. A real fire doesn't give you time to figure out what to do.

And here's an important reminder for parents and students:

The fire safety lessons you learn at school don't stay at school. Knowing how to recognize an alarm, get outside safely, and have a plan can help protect you at home, at work, and anywhere else you may be when an emergency happens.

Have a safe school year!

East Brunswick Public Schools
East Brunswick Independent Fire Company
Brookview Volunteer Fire Company
Old Bridge Volunteer Fire Department

08/22/2026

A huge thank you to Channel 12 News for recognizing our fire safety message and helping us spread the word! No viral stunt, trend, or few seconds of attention is worth getting seriously burned or injured.

The advisory comes in response to online trends.

08/21/2026

🔥Friday Fire Safety Tip🔥

Not everything trend is worth trying so think before you post!

We’ve all seen the latest viral trends and challenges popping up on social media but when those trends involve fire, flames, flammable liquids, heating objects, or intentionally creating sparks, there is nothing entertaining about the potential consequences.

Recent viral challenges have involved people attempting to breathe fire, light objects on fire, create flames with flammable products, or intentionally cause sparks and fires. These aren't harmless stunts. Fire can spread faster than you can react, and a few seconds can result in severe burns, permanent scarring, serious injuries, or even death.

This isn't just a warning from us. Medical reports have documented serious burn injuries associated with social-media challenges, including burns requiring significant medical treatment.

Our message is simple:
- If a TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, or other social-media challenge involves fire or intentionally creating a dangerous situation.. don't do it.
- Don't assume it's safe because someone else did it on video.
- Don't assume you can control a flame just because it looks controlled on screen.
- And most importantly, don't risk a trip to the emergency room just to get a few likes, views, or followers.

Going viral isn't worth getting burned.

East Brunswick Independent Fire Company
Brookview Volunteer Fire Company
Old Bridge Volunteer Fire Department

08/14/2026

🔥 Friday Fire Safety Tip 🔥

We know we’ve talked about this one before… but with Labor Day right around the corner, we wanted to bring it up again! Unfortunately, that means summer is coming to an end, but there’s still time for plenty of backyard cookouts. Whether you’re using a gas grill, charcoal grill, or another type of outdoor cooker, a few simple precautions can help keep your holiday weekend and the rest of grilling season safe.

KEEP YOUR GRILL AWAY FROM YOUR HOME
Always place your grill well away from your home, garage, deck railings, sheds, fences, and anything else that could catch fire. Never grill inside your home, garage, or any enclosed area. A grill fire can spread to a structure much faster than you may realize.

CLEAN YOUR GRILL BEFORE YOU COOK
We mean more than just brushing off the cooking grates! Before lighting your grill, check for built-up grease and grease deposits, food debris, leaves, twigs, and even animal or insect nests. A grill that has been sitting unused can become a home for unwanted visitors and you definitely don't want to light a nest on fire!

NEVER LEAVE A GRILL UNATTENDED
Once that grill is lit, keep an eye on it. A small flare-up can quickly become a serious fire.

KEEP CHILDREN AND PETS AWAY
Grills can remain extremely hot long after you've finished cooking. Establish a safe area around the grill and keep children and pets away from it.

Enjoy the rest of summer!

East Brunswick Independent Fire Company
Old Bridge Volunteer Fire Department
Brookview Volunteer Fire Company

08/07/2026

🔥 Friday Fire Safety Tip 🔥

We've talked about it before, but it's worth repeating because every second counts during an emergency...

Please don't block fire hydrants. Whether you're parking for "just a minute" or placing landscaping, decorations, or other objects nearby, blocking a fire hydrant can delay firefighters from getting water when it's needed most.

Why it matters:
• Firefighters may need that hydrant at a moment's notice
• Every second spent finding or accessing a hydrant can allow a fire to grow
• Blocking a hydrant can put lives and property at greater risk
• Keep at least 3 feet of clearance around fire hydrants at all times

Fire hydrants are there to protect our community. Keeping them clear is a simple way everyone can help firefighters do their job when every second matters.

Have a safe weekend!

Brookview Volunteer Fire Company
Old Bridge Volunteer Fire Department
East Brunswick Independent Fire Company

08/05/2026

A big thank you to our Lowe's Home Improvement of East Brunswick for continuing to support fire safety in our community!

If you've been in the store recently, you may have noticed the impressive fire truck-shaped fire safety display right at the front entrance. Stocked with First Alert smoke alarms, carbon monoxide (CO) alarms, and fire extinguishers, it's a great reminder that fire safety starts at home and that the right equipment can make all the difference.

Remember:
✅ Test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms every month.
✅ Replace the batteries as recommended (unless they have sealed 10-year batteries).
✅ Replace smoke and CO alarms when they reach the end of their service life according to the manufacturer's instructions.

If you discover that your smoke alarm, CO alarm, or fire extinguisher needs to be replaced, stop by Lowe's and check out their excellent fire safety display. A few minutes today can help protect your family tomorrow.

07/31/2026

🔥 Friday Fire Safety Tip 🔥

Dispose of lithium-Ion batteries the right way. Lithium-ion batteries power many of the devices we use every day from phones and laptops to power tools, e-bikes, and rechargeable lawn equipment. When they're no longer usable, they should never be thrown in the regular trash or recycling bin.

Damaged or improperly discarded batteries can become crushed, overheat, and start fires in garbage trucks, recycling facilities, or even inside your home.

Lithium-Ion Battery Safety Tips:
• Never throw lithium-ion batteries in the trash or curbside recycling
• Recycle them at an approved battery collection or recycling location
• If a battery is swollen, leaking, or damaged, handle it carefully and follow local disposal guidelines
• Store old batteries in a cool, dry place until they can be properly recycled
• Always use UL Listed batteries and chargers recommended by the manufacturer

Taking a few extra minutes to dispose of lithium-ion batteries properly can help prevent fires and protect your family and the community.

Stay safe and have a great weekend!

Brookview Volunteer Fire Company
Old Bridge Volunteer Fire Department
East Brunswick Independent Fire Company

07/17/2026

🔥 Friday Fire Safety Tip 🔥

Candles create a warm atmosphere, but they also remain one of the leading causes of preventable home fires. A single unattended or improperly used candle can quickly turn into an emergency.

Candle Safety Tips:
• Never leave a burning candle unattended
• Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn
• Always place candles on a sturdy, non-combustible surface
• Keep candles out of reach of children and pets
• Extinguish all candles before leaving the room or going to bed

If a candle doesn't seem to be burning correctly, don't automatically throw water on it. Some candles especially those made with certain waxes or those burning in containers with hot wax can splatter or spread burning wax when water is added. This can increase the risk of burns or even spread the fire.
If a candle becomes unsafe or catches nearby materials on fire, extinguish it safely if you can do so without putting yourself at risk. If the fire begins to grow, get everyone out, call 911, and let the fire department handle it.

Stay safe and have a great weekend!

Brookview Volunteer Fire Company
Old Bridge Volunteer Fire Department
East Brunswick Independent Fire Company

07/16/2026

Air Quality Advisory / Smoke Notice

You may notice a smoky haze or smell of smoke in our area due to wildfire smoke drifting south from the ongoing Canadian wildfires. While this can reduce visibility and impact air quality, it does not necessarily indicate a local fire emergency.

If you see flames or believe the smoke you are observing is not related to the wildfire conditions, do not hesitate to call 911 immediately.

Please stay aware of your surroundings and limit outdoor activities if you are sensitive to smoke.

Stay safe!

Brookview Volunteer Fire Company
East Brunswick Independent Fire Company
Old Bridge Volunteer Fire Department

07/10/2026

🔥 Friday Fire Safety Tip 🔥

Power outages can happen at any time, especially during severe weather. If you use a portable generator, using it incorrectly can allow deadly carbon monoxide (CO) to enter your home.

Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless gas that can become deadly in just minutes.

⚠️ Generator Safety Tips:
• Never operate a generator inside your home, garage, basement, or enclosed porch even if doors or windows are open.
• Place generators away from your home, with the exhaust pointed away from doors, windows, and vents.
• Never use a generator near open windows, attached garages, or crawl space vents where CO can enter the home.
• Make sure your home has working carbon monoxide detectors on every level and outside sleeping areas. Test them regularly and replace batteries as needed.
• Allow the generator to cool before refueling, and never refuel while it is running.

A generator can keep the lights on during an outage but only when it's used safely.

Stay safe, stay prepared, and have a great weekend!

Old Bridge Volunteer Fire Department
Brookview Volunteer Fire Company
East Brunswick Independent Fire Company