Just received from the United Synagogue*:
Please forward this email to your Rabbi and Community.
Some Chanukah safety tips for home and in Shul.
Always take care when lighting Chanukah lights.
Do not site your Chanukia near curtains or other combustible items.
Do not leave a Chanukia unattended.
Do not leave young children unsupervised in the same room as a lit Chanukia or with matches.Always make sure your Chanukia is standing on a firm base.
Always ensure candles, wicks or oil containers are firmly seated in place.Don’t play with Fire!
Have a Happy (& Safe) Chanukah
Here’s a follow up email from the United Synagogue**
Additional Chanukah Tips
Please consider eating doughnuts sweetened with either Nutrasweet or Candrel. Sugar can rot the teeth.
Doughnuts can be fried effectively in low cholesterol oils, such as canola or sunflower. However, we do not recommend the use of hot oil. Consider baking little rolls, and then pouring cool oil onto them, for that “just fried” taste.
Chocolate can cause problems in those with undiagnosed diabetes. Please consider giving your children pieces of raw carob, instead of Chanukah gelt.
Do not let children play with dreidels. An uncontrolled dreidel has been known to cause serious eye injuries. Children should always be supplied with safety goggles when they are playing dreidel.
Choose an appropriate pitch at which to sing Maoz Tsur. Remember: lack of preparation could result in strained vocal chords.
We have also received the following message from the Church of England**:
PLEASE be careful when putting the fairy or star on the top of your Christmas tree.
ALWAYS ensure that three adults are present during this difficult operation: one to climb the ladder, one to hold the ladder, and one to keep the children behind the safety barrier.
DO NOT attempt to festoon your tree with electric lights. ALWAYS employ an electrician with at least a City and Guilds 2330 Certificate in Electrotechnology Level 3.
DO NOT bring holly into your home. Holly needles can carry tetanus.
CONSIDER the lesson of Jeremiah 10:2-4*:
“10.2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
10:3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
10:4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.”
HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!
* This is genuine
** This is made up