***MEDIA ADVISORY***

FDNY REMINDS NEW YORKERS TO CHANGE THE BATTERIES IN THEIR SMOKE DETECTORS WHEN THEY CHANGE THEIR CLOCKS THIS WEEKEND

Batteries Donated by Duracell Will be Distributed at Fire Safety Events Across New York City

Fire Commissioner Salvatore J. Cassano, along with FDNY members running in the 2011 ING New York City Marathon, and Hot Dog the FDNY Fire Safety mascot, will be at the FDNY Fire Zone Store, 34 West 51st Street, at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 4th reminding New Yorkers to change the batteries in their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors when they change their clocks this weekend for the end of Daylight Saving Time.

“In 2010, the FDNY recorded 62 fire related deaths; the lowest in New York City’s history. In only 15 of those fires was a working smoke detector present,” Commissioner Cassano said. “The message is loud and clear, a working smoke detector drastically reduces the chances of losing your life in a fire. Check the batteries in your smoke detector this weekend when you change your clocks.”

Throughout the day and weekend, at locations in all five boroughs, members of the FDNY Fire Safety Education Unit will be distributing batteries donated by Duracell, along with fire safety information in ten different languages. Duracell has donated 80,000 batteries to the FDNY Foundation for distribution at events throughout the year.

The FDNY members at the press conference are running in this year’s ING New York City Marathon and will be looking to win their 8th straight Mayor’s Cup. The Mayor’s Cup is a friendly competition between the NYPD runners and the FDNY runners, to see which team can be the first to have 10 members cross the finish line.

***Photo-Op***

Below, please find additional locations and times the FDNY will be distributing batteries and fire safety information throughout the weekend.

Friday - November 4

Queens: Jamaica Centre Parsons/Archer Train Station
4 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Brooklyn: Broadway Junction Station-Jamaica Avenue/Fulton Street
4 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Brooklyn: Stillwell Ave and Surf Ave
4 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Bronx: East 161St St and River Ave
4 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Manhattan: West 168th St and Broadway
4 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Saturday - November 5

Manhattan: 350 West 125th St
12 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Brooklyn: Flatbush Ave and Church Ave
12 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Queens: 81-18 Roosevelt Ave
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Staten Island: 425 Bay St
12 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Bronx: 430 East Fordham Rd
12 p.m. - 3 p.m.

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

http://www.nyc.gov/fdny