Dear Pfoho Student: Holiday season approaches, a few reminders about room safety, holiday decorations and winter break. Please note that the College prohibits the use of cooking appliances in any room or apartment not equipped with kitchen in the facilities. The one exception to this policy is the Micro-Fridge, available for sale at https://www.microfridge.com/en-us/<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/… or for rent at HSA https://dormessentials.hsa.net<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?… In addition, College Fire Safety Instructions stipulate that "the use of candles is prohibited in House and dormitory rooms". CANDLES WILL BE CONFISCATED AND DISPOSED OF ON THE INSPECTION DAY. Menorahs may be lit only in House common areas and only with the approval of the Faculty Deans. They must always be attended. To ensure the safety of everyone living in the dorms, inspectors will be conducting Fire/Safety Inspections of student rooms during the winter recess (12/20/2021-1/14/2022). Inspections begin promptly on December 19th at 9 AM. Inspectors will leave a note indicating any violation of College fire and safety policy found in your suite. Items that violate the policy include: * All cooking appliances (with the exception of Micro-Fridges), such as * Microwaves not part of a Micro-Fridge * Toasters * Coffee makers and hot pots * Grills * Popcorn makers * Rice cookers * All open sources of flame, such as * Candles (even for religious ceremonies) * BBQ grills * Incense * All combustibles, such as * Lighter fluid * Charcoal Please note rooms will be re-inspected in late January. Any items found that violate fire or safety policy will be confiscated and donated to charity and your Resident Dean will be notified of the ongoing violation. In addition, blocked fire exits, disconnected smoke alarms, discharged fire extinguishers, and overloaded power strips or inadequate extension cords are violations of College fire and safety policy. No live holiday trees are permitted in the following occupancies at the University: . Assembly (i.e. Dining halls, Conference rooms, Common rooms, etc) . Dormitories . Educational . Hotels The revised Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code (527 CMR 1.00), took effect on January 1, 2015. Live trees found in student suites during Room Inspections will be removed and disposed of immediately. A term bill charge will be assessed to the entire suite for each disposed tree. Lights and decorations may also be disposed of. Those students wishing to partake in menorah-lighting ceremonies should contact Harvard Hillel at 495-4696 or www.hillel.harvard.edu<http://www.hillel.harvard.edu> Thank you for your help in maintaining the safety of our House. Good luck with finals! - Mario Leon Building Manager Pforzheimer House - Harvard University 56 Linnaean Street Cambridge, Ma 02138 Tel: (617) 495-8621 [Pfoho Shield]