***MEDIA ADVISORY***

FDNY REMINDS NEW YORKERS TO PRACTICE
HOLIDAY FIRE SAFETY TIPS

Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta and Chief of Department Salvatore J. Cassano will join FDNY Chaplain Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and associates from the New York Board of Rabbis tomorrow at Engine Company 65 in Manhattan to remind New Yorkers about the importance of practicing holiday fire safety tips.

The holiday season is a joyous occasion for millions of New Yorkers but can be marred by tragedy if proper fire safety precautions are not followed in the home. Since 2002, there have been fewer civilian fire fatalities in New York City than ever before, and one of the primary reasons is fire safety education. Tomorrow, Commissioner Scoppetta and other members of the FDNY will emphasize some important fire safety tips, including:

• Make sure you have a working smoke detector on every level of your home.
• Do not use damaged light sets or extension cords. Avoid overloading the connections.
• Promptly remove all discarded packages and wrappings from the home.
• NEVER leave the house with candles burning.
• NEVER use candles near combustible materials such as curtains, drapes, bedding and or cabinets.

Press Contact: Francis X. Gribbon & Tony Sclafani, (FDNY) (718) 999-2056

http://www.nyc.gov/fdny