Hatzalah Issues Chanukah Safety Guidelines

United Hatzalah has issued essential safety guidelines ahead of Chanukah to ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday for everyone starting tomorrow evening.

Lighting the Menorah:

Use chanukiahs made of non-flammable materials such as marble, glass, or metal. Avoid materials like cardboard, paper, or wood.Zq

Place the chanukiah on a stable, fire-resistant surface.

Avoid lighting the chanukiah near flammable objects like curtains, decorations, or plastic items.

Shield the chanukiah from wind to prevent fire hazards.

Keep children away from chanukiot, lighters, and matches.

Never leave lit Menorahs unattended.

Safety Precautions with Oil:

Keep children away from hot frying utensils.

Never spill water on boiling oil, cover the pan or stove with a damp towel instead.

Treating Burns:

In the event of a burn, move the injured person away from the heat source and seek immediate medical assistance.

Rinse the burn area with lukewarm water; avoid using cold water or ice.

If clothing catches fire, instruct the injured person to stop, drop, and roll on the floor. Extinguish the fire using a blanket.

Avoid pulling cloth stuck to the skin. Carefully trim the parts of the cloth around the burned areas to prevent further damage.

Refrain from using creams without consulting a medical professional.

President and Founder of United Hatzalah Eli Beer said: “Every year during Chanukah, United Hatzalah responds to far too many incidents involving fires and injuries caused by Hanukkah candles being lit in unsafe locations or left unattended without supervision. We also handle numerous emergencies related to burns from candles or hot oil spills affecting both children and adults. We’ve had so many people around us hit with tragedy the last few weeks, please take every step to avoid additional tragedies and ease the strain on medical teams. On behalf of the 7,000 volunteers of United Hatzalah, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of Am Yisrael, a happy and safe Chanukah.”