Lighted Christmas trees in the windows of Ocean Boulevard homes on Long Beach Island on a Monday morning brightened the bleakness of the rain and wind under a sunless sky and a year dominated by pandemic-related restrictions. Considering the nuances of 2020, this is not the time to skimp on holiday safety.

“Make safety a holiday tradition,” Ocean County Freehold Director Joseph H. Vicari said. “Be sure to follow instructions, and never plug too many lights into one socket.”