East Brunswick Fire Prevention

09/06/2026

East Brunswick Fire Prevention was out at the 250th celebration making sure everyone could enjoy the festivities safely.

With food trucks, food vendors, fireworks, and even a historic cannon, there was plenty to keep an eye on. We checked cooking operations, fire extinguishers, propane setups, fireworks safety zones, crowd separation, emergency access, and overall fire safety.

And it wasn’t just us. Brookview Volunteer Fire Company, Old Bridge Volunteer Fire Department, East Brunswick Independent Fire Company were standing by throughout the event, ready to provide a quick response should an emergency occur.

We’re proud to work behind the scenes to help keep our community safe while everyone enjoys these special events.

Thank you to everyone who came out and helped make the 250th celebration a great one! 🇺🇸

East Brunswick Recreation
Township of East Brunswick

09/04/2026

🔥 Friday Fire Safety Tip 🔥

The kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in the house, and a small mistake can turn into a fire in seconds.

✔ Never leave cooking unattended.
✔ Keep pot handles turned inward and keep anything that can burn away from the stovetop.
✔ If a grease fire starts, NEVER put water on it. Water can cause burning grease to splatter and spread the fire. If it is safe to do so, turn off the heat and slide a lid over the pan to smother the flames.
✔ If a fire starts, call 911 whether you think it’s big OR small!

Fire can spread quickly, and firefighters would rather respond to a small fire than arrive too late to a much larger one. As we head into the holiday weekend, enjoy the food, enjoy the time with family and friends, and most importantly, stay safe!

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

09/01/2026

Slow down for our kids!

With school beginning this week, drivers are reminded to use extra caution as students return to classrooms and school buses return to our roadways. 🚌🎒

Slow down and stay alert around school buses and bus stops. Children may be crossing the street or approaching a bus from areas that are difficult for drivers to see.

🛑 Remember: When a school bus displays flashing red lights and extends its stop arm, STOP. Never attempt to pass a stopped school bus when children are loading or unloading.

Give yourself a few extra minutes, put the phone down, and watch for students throughout our neighborhoods.

A safe school year starts with all of us.

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