Cranford Life - November 2024

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Monster Mash a real smash!

New police chief is appointed following the retirement of Greco

In a unanimous vote, the Cranford Township Committee appointed Capt. Matthew Nazzaro to lead the Cranford Police Department, following the retirement of Chief Ryan Greco.

Nazzaro will assume the office on Sunday, Dec. 1, and will work closely with Greco on the transition. Mayor Brian Andrews spoke about the Township Committee’s selection process and decision. “The police chief plays a vital role keeping our community safe and leading our exceptional Police Department.” said Andrews. “Our entire Township Committee participated in the selection process, which included a written component and inperson interviews. We were blessed to have multiple strong candidates from within the Department. Congratulations to Capt. Matthew Nazzaro, who has done a tremendous amount for our township already and will continue to serve Cranford proudly.”

Nazzaro expressed his thanks to the Township Committee and members of the Police Department. “The Cranford Police Department is home to the finest officers in the state. It’s a great honor to lead this exceptional team as the next chief of police,” said Nazarro. “My goal is to ensure that our workforce has the tools, support and dynamic training to serve our community as new challenges emerge.”

The Township Committee and Township Administrator Lavona Patterson conducted a thorough and rigorous candidate selection process over the course of several months to reach a decision. “We are beyond appreciative of the talented and outstanding pool of candidates that participated in this demanding interview process. Capt. Nazzaro has shown exemplary professionalism throughout his 22-year career in Cranford and we look forward to working with him as the next chief of police,” said Patterson.

Public Safety Commissioner Paul A. Gallo spoke about incoming Nazzaro’s broad range of experience in various divisions as he rose through the ranks. “I’ve always been a champion of hard work, self-improvement and community service,” said Gallo. “Capt. Nazzaro wholeheartedly exemplifies these attributes, with his start in service to Cranford as a member of Cranford’s First Aid Squad, moving to the Police Department as a communications officer. Captain Nazzaro now brings his experience in Patrol, as a School Resource Officer, and Administrative and Operations leadership as a Captain, to his new role as Chief,” added Gallo.

Andrews expressed appreciation for Greco’s many years of service to Cranford, particularly his initiatives and commitment supporting community relations. “We thank Chief Ryan Greco for his 25 years of service in the Cranford Police Department. Some of the hallmarks of the chief’s tenure are a strong focus on

Matthew Nazzaro

community engagement, cultivating a superb group of next-generation leaders in the department and stepping up when Cranford needed him. Our community owes him a debt and wishes him well in retirement,” said Andrews.

Photo Courtesy of the Township of Cranford Capt.

26th annual Red Ribbon Day Walk and Family Fun Festival hosted

Prevention Links hosted its 26th annual Red Ribbon Day Walk and Family Fun Festival on Saturday, Oct. 12, at Nomahegan Park in Cranford. This event united the community to raise awareness about drug prevention and celebrate recovery successes. The total walk was about 2.2 miles long, along Nomahegan Park.

Madeline Desrosiers, Communications and Development coordinator with Prevention Links, was one of the organizers. “People are struggling with substance abuse disorder,” she said. “One of the biggest goals is to reduce the stigma. People need help. They know where to find it.”

Kenneth Bae, transition coordinator of Prevention Links, said, “Any school can send a student over to us when a student has a substance issue.”

Kelly Taylor is the project manager at One Community One Family Coalition at Elizabeth Port Community Center. They have youth programs such as “To be me, I must be drug free.”

Gianna Grandinetti, a licensed social worker from Mosaic Counseling and Consulting, said, “We’re really happy to be here. Everyone is passionate towards ending drug abuse. Children and their families can be their best selves.”

Kristin Miller and Zachary Simmons are the co-founders of Mosaic Counseling

Above left, Madeline Desrosiers, Communications and Development coordinator with Prevention Links and one of the organizers of the 26th annual Red Ribbon Day Walk and Family Fun Festival on Saturday, Oct. 12, holds a sweatshirt promoting the event. Above right, from left are the Mosaic Counseling and Consulting team of Ashley Bardi, Gianna Grandinetti, Kristin Miller and Zachary Simmons.

and Consulting. Miller said, “We’re very excited and grateful for the opportunity to come into the community. The opportunity to destigmatize mental health and create a safe place for those struggling and their family members.”

Sonya Sellers, a helper from Swift Farms who provided a petting zoo and

pony rides, said, “It’s a wonderful thing. We’re happy to help and raise awareness.”

Michael Rothman, of Roselle, was there with his children, Adrianna, 12, William, 7, and their pet ferrets, Chanel and Bootsy. He felt the event was very important. “I have family members struggling,” he said.

Erick Morey, a volunteer for the event, and a student of social work at Seton Hall University, said, “Members and university students are here. It’s really nice to see the community come together and see families bond.”

Keith Y., a member of Narcotics

Photos by Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta
See NOMAHEGAN, Page 4

Downtown Cranford’s 17th annual Scarecrow Stroll is nothing for you to be too scared about

More than 100 scarecrows are drawing attention to Cranford’s downtown area.

But this is nothing new. It’s been going on for 17 years!

Scarecrows are created by local residents, businesses, organizations, schools and families. Many have Halloween themes, but there are some that have powerful implications, such as Girl Scout Troop 40103’s creation, “How we want to help like Taylor.” A scarecrow likeness of Taylor Swift sits on a haystack with positive communications scrawled on a message board behind her, such as “If you see people hurt, help” and “Pick up trash.”

Then there’s a bull scarecrow named Ricardo, holding a sign “Vote for Ricardo.” Ricardo was found and rescued in December 2023. He was assumed to have escaped from a slaughterhouse. He now resides at Skyland Sanctuary & Rescue in Wantage.

And “Spook the Stigma!” a scarecrow pharmacist bringing attention to mental health.

The idea of a Scarecrow Stroll began when Township Commissioner Kathleen Miller Prunty thought of it as an idea to bring people to come downtown, according to Michelle Stavrou, Social Media coordinator for Downtown Cranford.

People have created the scarecrows at home and then taken them to Cranford, but Stavrou says a lot of them assemble when they get to Cranford. The scarecrows can be seen throughout downtown. “Start by the gazebo, walk down North Union, do a loop,” said Stavrou.

Scarecrows can also be voted for online. There are four categories: 12 and under, adults/families, schools/organizations and Cranford businesses. The voting is now closed, but the scarecrows will remain up until Halloween and then taken down the following weekend.

“We have a number of people who return every year; the same creators,” said Stavrou. “The main thing is that we love to see people take part more than once. When they come back again and again, it’s a lovely thing to see.”

Lindsey Oddi, of Cranford, said, “They’re incredible. My niece loves it!”

Karter Dinkelacker, bakery assistant of Papa Ganache, said they didn’t put a scarecrow up this year because they’ve been super busy for Rosh Hashanah. Nevertheless, he said, “It’s always a treat.”

Jason Sanchez, who co-owns Savor Snack Shop with his wife, Michele Santo, said, “As a business owner, the scarecrows are picking up in walking traffic, a positive thing for the business area. Cranford is happening this month.”

Witch Baby has a scarecrow called Queen of Wands in front of their business. Cashier Scarlet Barton said, “I think it’s awesome. I think the kids love it, too. It’s a good way for the community to get to know the business owners.”

“I’ve been framed” is a scarecrow of a skeleton holding a painting of the Mona Lisa, with her face cut out so people can put their faces in the painting. It’s in front of The Artistic Framer and was designed by the owner Stefanie Lalor and a friend.

“It’s cool to see how the scarecrows evolved over the years. We’re happy to be a part of it,” said Marty Weinberg, design consultant at The Artistic Framer.

Above left, a scarecrow likeness of Taylor Swift, created by Girl Scout Troop 40103, sits on a

with positive communications scrawled on a message board behind her, such as ‘If you see people hurt, help’ and ‘pick up trash.’ Above center, a fearsome sandworm is one of the many scarecrows created for Downtown Cranford’s 17th annual Scarecrow Stroll. Above right, another scarecrow creation, the MCU character Deadpool lies in a ‘deadpool.’ Below left, the very original Marie Antoiknitte stands in front of YarnStormers on Alden Street. Below center, the Rahway River Reaper has a bag full of skulls, bones and pumpkins as it stands watch at the 17th annual Scarecrow Stroll. Below right, a tribute to Ricardo the bull, which was found and rescued from a slaughterhouse in December 2023 and is now living at Skyland Sanctuary & Rescue in Wantage, urges everyone to vote for him.

Photos by Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta
haystack
Above left, Queen of Wands stands in front of Witch Baby on Eastman Street. Above right, ‘I’ve been framed’ is a scarecrow of a skeleton holding a painting of the Mona Lisa, with her face cut out so people can put their faces in the painting, in front of The Artistic Framer.

Nomahegan Park is the site of Family Fun Festival

(Continued from Page 2)

Anonymous, said he has been clean for 29 years. He said that Narcotics Anonymous was the only thing that worked for him. “The program saved my life,” he said. “It works. I share my story with

newcomers when they come in.”

Cindy F. has been clean for nearly 15 years. She’s a 63-year-old registered nurse and said that people from all walks of life can be affected by drug use.

Carson S. has been clean 63 days and

said it feels amazing. “I’m so grateful for Narcotics Anonymous and the people I’ve met over the last 63 days. I went to a meeting. It was difficult. I parked and was looking for an entrance. I couldn’t find the entrance.

“I was close to giving up and going home. I saw a gentleman. He opened his arms, welcomed me and pointed me to the first meeting.”

To learn more, visit: preventionlinks.org.

Above left, Kenneth Bae, transition coordinator of Prevention Links, was there at the 26th annual Red Ribbon Day Walk and Family Fun Festival to see his hard work pay off. Above, second from left, Kelly Taylor, the project manager at One Community One Family Coalition at Elizabeth Port Community Center, stands near a table with literature for her group.
Above, third from left, Michael Rothman, of Roselle, stands with his children, Adrianna, 12, and William, 7, and their ferrets, Chanel and Bootsy, at the 26th annual Red Ribbon Day Walk and Family Fun Festival on Saturday, Oct. 12. Above right, a beautiful bunny from the petting zoo at the Family Fun Festival proved a big hit that day.
Photos by Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta
‘They did the Mash... They did the

Monster Mash!’

Halloween celebrations in Cranford always seem to kick off a little earlier than most towns in Union County thanks to the hard-working, fun-loving Downtown Cranford team and this October is no exception. Their annual, month-long Scarecrow Stroll has been embellished with several other Halloween-related events and the Monster Mash on Friday, Oct. 11, is a real family favorite. Children of all ages and in all sorts of costumes enjoyed cotton candy, a music deejay, photobooths and a very talented troupe of baton twirlers. For additional information regarding even more upcoming holiday events, check out downtowncranford.org.

Mayor Brian Andrews, pictured at left, presents a proclamation on ‘Friendship and Kindness’ to recognize Zach Carter, Zach Jones, Kurt Petschow Jr., Robbie Salvatore and Nolan Spurr, not pictured, for their actions to help find Peter ‘Petey’ Fekete at Yankee Stadium.

Five recognized for ‘Friendship and Kindness’

Mayor Brian Andrews, pictured at left, presents a proclamation on “Friendship and Kindness” to recognize Zach Carter, Zach Jones, Kurt Petschow Jr., Robbie Salvatore and Nolan Spurr for their actions to help find Peter “Petey” Fekete at Yankee Stadium.

The five young men first contacted stadium security and then proceeded to conduct a search on foot, eventually joined by members of the New York

City Police Department.

The Township Committee aims to recognize acts of friendship and kindness, so that they may inspire others.

Cranford TV 35 filmed a segment on how these young men found their friend among 50,000 people at Yankee Stadium.

The video is available to watch on cable or on YouTube at CranfordTV3, https://www.

Cranford police to host DWI checkpoint

The Cranford Police Department will conduct a driving while intoxicated checkpoint within the township from 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8, until 3 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9. The operation will serve as a specific deterrent by arresting impaired drivers who pass through the checkpoint and, more importantly, as a general deterrent to persons who have knowledge of the checkpoint. The Cranford Police Department is committed to ensure the safety of residents and reducing serious and fatal motor vehicle crashes within the township of Cranford that can result from intoxicated drivers.

If you see someone you believe is posing a hazard because of poor driving behaviors, dial 9-1-1 from a hands-free mobile device to contact law enforcement. Be ready to give a description of the vehicle and occupants, a location and direction, and a license plate if possible. Driving impaired by any substance – alcohol or other drugs, whether the substance is legal or illegal – is against the law in all 50 states. To prevent unnecessary tragedies, never drive drunk or high.

Commended Students announced in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program

The principal, Mark Cantagallo, of Cranford High School, announced that Danielle Burke, Owen Kennedy and Molly Parker have been named Commended Students in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program.

A letter of commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, which conducts the program, was presented to these scholastically talented seniors.

About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2025 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top 50,000

students who entered the 2025 competition by taking the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

“Those being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” said a spokesperson for NMSC. “These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the achievement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”

12:00PM–08:30PM

Photos Courtesy Township of Cranford

Three will be the charm on Nov. 16 as trio of plays

Theater enthusiasts will have the opportunity to see staged readings of three new plays and share their reactions with the playwrights during the third of The Theater Project’s “New Play Readings” on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 2 p.m., at the Cranford Community Center. Admission is free, with no registration required.

“A reading by actors is an early, essential step in a play’s production,” said Mark Spina.

The Theater Project’s artistic director. “A staged reading gives audiences some insight into how a play makes the long journey from the written word to the curtain call. In addition, by sharing their reactions with the playwright and cast, audiences serve as contributors to a play’s development.”

The staged readings on Saturday, Nov. 16, will comprise the following works:

“Ruby in the Rough,” by Lynn Marie Macy.

Dec. 31, 1929, is a New Year’s Eve three showgirls will never forget. As they prepare for a splendid night on the town, a shocking event will threaten their friendships and haunt them for the rest of their lives.

Macy is the author of five previous plays produced by The Theater Project. She translated Friederich von Schiller’s “Intrigue and Love” for Jean Cocteau Repertory in New York and Georges Sand’s “Gabriel” for New Perspectives

Theatre Company, also in New York. As an actor, she has appeared in plays by Bertolt Brecht, William Shakespeare and Lanford Wilson.

“The Nature of the Stars,” by Rosemary Parrillo.

The proprietor of a bookstore specializing in poetry is priced out of the neighborhood and must close her doors. As a handyman fumbles his way through a final maintenance task, a young customer arrives, offering the store owner an unforeseen opportunity to make peace with her misfortune and help the despondent teen discover the redemptive power of poetry.

Parrillo is a playwright and journalist. Her work has been performed at festivals and in community theaters across the United States and in Canada. “The Nature of the Stars” was a 2024 finalist for the Tennessee Williams One-Act Contest. Her post-9/11 play, “The New Normal Trilogy,” was a semifinalist in the 2017 Eugene O’Neill Theater Center National Playwrights Conference.

“You’re Getting Sleepy,” by Joseph Vitale.

A knavish night-club hypnotist, The Amazing Mallecho has a gig performing in a Cancun resort with his longtime and long-suffering assistant, Victoria. Mallecho hypnotizes two couples he’s brought on stage, but when he himself falls under

the spell of a spiked drink, more is revealed about the characters than meets the eye.

Vitale, a finalist for 2020–2021 Joanne Woodward/Paul Newman Drama Award and a semi-finalist for the 2012 Eugene O’Neill Theater/National Playwrights Conference, is the author of a score of fulllength and one-act plays that have been staged throughout the country. The Theater Project produced “The Interpreter,” his drama about the Nuremberg trials, in August 2024.

Large-print programs and scripts will be available with advance request. For

more information, call Gary Glor, 908809-8865.

Cranford Community Center is located at 220 Walnut Ave. The Theater Project ispresenting the “New Play Readings” series in cooperation with the Friends of the Cranford Public Library.

Founded in 1994 and based in Union, The Theater Project introduces New Jersey audiences to new plays and supports rising playwrights and theater artists. It develops new audiences for theater by service to the community, providing programs for children, and using theater as a forum to address current issues.

Volunteers seek crew socks for soup kitchen

First Presbyterian Church of Cranford, 11 Springfield Ave., is collecting new crew socks for both children and adults – no ankle socks, as it’s chilly out there. Socks will be collected until Sunday, Nov. 10, at locations around Cranford. Then, on Sunday, Nov. 17, from 1 to 3 p.m., the community is invited to gather in the church’s Bates Hall Gym to sort and roll the socks into festive bundles for distribution. Socks will be distributed to the Cranford–Elmora Soup Kitchen, a mission of the church, and other local organizations that support the homeless and vulnerable.

Look for sock donation bins around town at the following locations: Cranford Community Center, Cranford Public Library, Dreyer Farms, Active Life Fitness in Garwood and First Presbyterian Church (outside Bates Hall gym).

Then, get ready for some fun at the “Sock and Roll.”

On Sunday, Nov. 17, all are invited to an afternoon of “Sock Hop” ’50s rock and roll music, sock sorting and a whole lot of community spirit. Volunteers will be rolling, sorting and bagging socks for distribution, and everyone – young and old – is invited to pitch in. Plus, don’t miss the bake sale and refreshing lemonade stand. All proceeds will go to support the Cranford–Elmora Soup Kitchen.

Expanded Children’s Room planned for Cranford Public Library

Families will soon see an expanded, bright and airy Children’s Room at the Cranford Public Library. The expansion and renovation project is currently out to bid for construction, after it was approved by the Cranford Planning Board last month.

“The Cranford Public Library is a cornerstone in our community. We want our children to have the space to learn, explore and grow. This renovation will help to achieve that goal. I am thankful for all of the work of our library staff, Library Board of Trustees and our professionals to make this a reality,” Mayor Brian Andrews said in a statement.

The Children’s Room will double in size allowing for an open-concept design providing staff clear lines of sight of the entire floor. Lower bookshelves bring books to eye level for even the smallest of children to easily peruse the stacks.

When families first come in, they will experience a touch of nature throughout the entire Children’s Room. Natural light will fill the space from the expansive windows surrounding the interiors and colorful new seating areas convey a sense of joy and bring about an eagerness to read.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer our young patrons a bright new space, where they can discover the joy of reading and imagination,” said Cranford Public Library Director Kathy Cannarozzi.

Reading niches, comfortable chairs and

ottomans, and cozy reading tables interspersed throughout the Children’s Room will provide families quiet time to relax and read with their children. Built-in activity stations will allow children to create and develop their fine motor skills with puzzles, coloring, activity books and more.

A separate tween area will contain books specifically for this age group. Tables and hangout areas will provide a space for pre-teens to read and explore their interests in a peaceful area of their own. This space will contain the graphic novel collection, popular with the tween group. Part of this renovation will include new computers for online access and the book catalog.

Situated in the back of the Children’s Room, the Raddin Room, where the

library holds children’s programming, such as readings, crafts and specials, will see a facelift, with fresh paint and rugs, a storage area, and new window treatments.

The expansion and renovation project is a collaborative effort of the Library Board of Trustees, Library staff, the Friends of the Cranford Public Library and the township of Cranford. Funding of $2 million from the state of New Jersey, an investment of approximately $1 million from the township of Cranford and approximately $500,000 from the Library Board of Trustees facilitated this project to move forward.

“The Board of Trustees is delighted to announce that the library will soon begin a construction project that will nearly double the space of the current Children’s Room. This expansion has been a priority for the library for a number of years, based on community feedback regarding the size and limitations of the children’s space. Thanks to funding from the state of New Jersey, the township of Cranford and the library itself, we are now able to act on that feedback and build a state-of-the-art children’s room that will provide our staff and patrons with a flexible, modern space to read, learn, and play,” President of the Library Board of Trustees Susan Burke said in a statement.

“We thank Senate President Nicholas

Scutari for supporting the Cranford Public Library’s vision to create an accessible and modern Children’s Room. The support from Mayor Brian Andrews, who also is a member of the Library Board of Trustees, our Friends and Board members is a testament to their commitment to advancing learning in our community’s youngest readers,” said Cannarozzi.

During construction, the Children’s Room will move to a temporary location next door at the Cranford Community Center. Here, the collection will be scaled to fit within the space. Books can also be taken out from lending libraries within the network of libraries through the program STELLA, offering 3.5 million items across 43 member libraries. The library anticipates construction to begin as early as by the end of 2024.

Once the work is completed, residents will have a larger, state-of-the-art Children’s Room, renovated entry area and new carpet and paint throughout the Children’s Room. A new energy-efficient HVAC system in the Children’s Room will provide a greener alternative than the current system and a savings to Cranford taxpayers.

The Cranford Public Library is located at 224 Walnut Ave.

Updates on the Children’s Room project can be found by visiting: https://www.cranfordlibrary.org/library-expansion.

Photos Courtesy of the Cranford Public Library

UCNJ enrolls a record number of new students

UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ announced it welcomed the largest number of new students this fall. In an environment of declining enrollment at colleges and universities across the country, the college has taken proactive measures to increase student access, provide critical support to help ensure success once students enroll, and improve the value of their credentials.

Thanks to the generous support of the Union County Board of County Commissioners, UCNJ receives critical operating funding which has helped keep tuition low with no increases for the past five years. In addition to keeping tuition low, the college offers flat-rate tuition which allows students to pay the same cost for 12 to 18 credits. Finally, through the state’s Community College Opportunity Grant, qualifying students whose family income is $100,000 or less may also be eligible to attend tuition-free.

Students who enroll at UCNJ are doing so at one of the top community colleges in the country. UCNJ has been named as one of only 10 finalists for the 2025 Aspen Prize by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. The institutions selected for this honor stand out among more than 1,000 community colleges nationwide as having high and improving levels of student success, as well as equitable outcomes for Black and Hispanic students and those from lower-income backgrounds.

The college’s Office of Admissions has developed a Strategic Enrollment Management plan with specific data-informed goals of enrollment. By promoting new student orientations, hosting open houses, and providing more face-to-face time with faculty and staff who support students on their journey, UCNJ achieved a 13% growth in new student enrollment. In addition, the college continues to evaluate

and enhance the value-added for their certifications and degrees to help graduates obtain living wages for in-demand occupations in the region.

“We are thrilled to welcome the largest class of first-year students in UCNJ’s history. This milestone is a reflection of the hard work and dedication the UCNJ community

has to transforming our community, one student at a time. We welcome all students who seek to change their lives through higher education. Students at UCNJ receive support from our expert faculty and devoted staff who are focused on helping students achieve their dreams,” said UCNJ President Margaret M. McMenamin.

IN MEMORIAM

• YASCKO – Janet Margaret, of Salisbury, MD, formerly of Cranford; Sept. 30. Travel agent. Wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, 87.

In Memoriam is a monthly feature compiled by the news staff from various sources. We also provide the opportunity for families and funeral directors to publish a more extensive, special notice about their loved one called an obituary. These notices are published on our website immediately and then in the next edition of this newspaper. To place a paid obituary send an email to obits@thelocalsource.com or fax to 908-688-0401. Family and friends’ submissions must include sender’s name, address, phone and the name of the funeral home. Call 908-686-7850 for assistance.

Gabe Worrell, football

What are your goals this season? A goal for the season is to win the state championship.

How do you get ready for a game? I just like to chill and relax to save energy for the game.

What was your biggest accomplishment last season? Winning six games last season.

What’s the most important thing your coach has taught you? That when you fall down only winners get up.

Who are your favorite professional athletes? Saquon Barkley

What is your favorite subject in school? History

What other hobbies do you have? I like to read comic books and play video games.

What are your plans for school activities this year? My plans for school are simply to get good grades for the year.

Selena Rivera, soccer

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Photos Courtesy of Michelle Stavrou

Fire Prevention Month tips are offered from Cranford Fire Department

October marks Fire Prevention Month and the Cranford Fire Department wants to share how you can stay fire safe and protect you and your loved ones from the devastating loss of a fire. “Unfortunately, many of the fires and emergencies we respond to are preventable with a few easy safety measures,” said Battalion Chief Matthew Lubin, Cranford’s fire official. “We use the month of October to piggyback on the national campaign to emphasize fire safety in the home, in our school community, and in our businesses and workplaces.”

According to Lubin, the department annually inspects commercial establishments, but residential homes are largely unregulated from a fire safety standpoint. “The data each year shows that the vast majority of fire injuries and fatalities are occurring in single family homes, often in ones which lack working smoke alarms,” Lubin said.

The easiest way to ensure your family is safe is to have working smoke detectors throughout your home and test them monthly. Test all the smoke alarms in your home at least once a month by pushing the test button and replacing the batteries. Keep in mind, every 10 years, smoke detectors need to be replaced. A date should be listed on the back of the smoke detector. If you have young chil-

dren, you should also have a meeting spot away from the home and practice that, just like a school fire drill.

Did you know you need at least one smoke detector on every level of your home, including the basement, outside all sleeping areas and inside each bedroom? If you are missing detectors in these areas, it’s time to install them. Before you turn on your heating systems and fireplace this year, check your smoke detectors.

Some other important Fire Safety Tips to Do this Season:

• Have your heating system, fireplaces and chimney checked by a professional before the season. Make sure that your chimney is clear of any debris or creosote buildup. Creosote is a deposit from smoke, which can build up and start a fire.

• Make sure the area around your furnace/boiler and water heater is clear of anything that can burn. Never use the area around these appliances for storage. Not only can it cause a fire, but it can restrict air flow to the appliance.

• If using a fireplace or fire pit, use only seasoned, dry woods. Never burn treated wood. When done, put all ashes outdoors and away from anything that can burn –fences, garages, etc. Store them in a metal container for disposal.

• Never park your car over a pile of

leaves. Make sure you pile leaves far away from your house. Never burn leaves, the embers and sparks can travel far and set other fires.

• Never burn candles unattended. Place them in sturdy, burn-resistant containers that won’t tip over. Never place them near windows where blinds or curtains could blow over them, or in high traffic areas where pets or children

could knock them over.

• If using space heaters, make sure they are plugged directly into the wall and have an auto-shutoff feature. Don’t use space heaters unattended and never use them with extension cords or power strips. Now that you have taken some necessary steps to keep your home fire safe, prepare a home fire escape plan and practice it with your family or housemates.

WOMAN’S CLUB IS HONORED — Mayor Brian Andrews and Commissioner Kathleen Miller Prunty stand with members of the Cranford Woman’s Club at the Township Committee Meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 8. Andrews announces the proclamation honoring the Cranford’s Woman’s Club, founded in 1949, in celebration of its Golden Jubilee and the many outstanding contributions to Cranford.

Photo Courtesy Township of Cranford

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