MAYOR GIULIANI AND FIRE COMMISSIONER VON ESSEN REMIND NEW YORKERS TO CHECK SMOKE DETECTOR BATTERIES
FDNY Offers Free Batteries to New Yorkers
"Over the last two years, New York City has experienced an historic reduction in civilian fire deaths," said Mayor Giuliani. "This year, Commissioner Von Essen and I want to make the City even safer. That's why, firefighters across the City have been out in full force this week reminding New Yorkers that they must check their smoke detectors twice a year to make sure they are functioning properly. Thanks to the Fire Safety Education Fund, the Fire Department has purchased over 20,000 9-volt batteries for use in smoke detectors.
"On behalf of all New Yorkers, I want to thank Energizer for their generous donation of an additional 3,000 batteries. Our fire education programs have helped reduce civilian fire fatalities and Energizer's generosity will help save even more lives. So when you, turn your clocks ahead tomorrow morning, please make sure you check your smoke detectors as well," the Mayor concluded.
Fire Commissioner Von Essen said, "In the past week firefighters have started handing out more than 23,000 smoke detector batteries in communities throughout the City. Our firefighters have spoken to thousands of New Yorkers at subway stations, senior centers, malls, and ferry terminals, emphasizing this important message: that a smoke detector can save your life, but only if it's working properly."
Through the Fire Safety Education Fund, the Fire Department purchased 20,000 9-volt batteries from Energizer at $1 apiece; in turn, Energizer donated 3,000 batteries. The Department has distributed batteries and fire safety literature in every borough, concentrating on densely populated, high fatal fire areas. Batteries will also be available in each of the Borough Presidents' offices.
Smoke detectors can be purchased for as little as $5.00 and can be easily installed in a matter of minutes with only simple hand tools. At least one smoke detector should be placed on each floor of the home, with particular emphasis on installing additional detectors in kitchen and sleeping areas. The Fire Department just concluded a smoke detector giveaway program in areas that have experienced an increase in fire fatalities.
On January 13, 1998, Mayor Giuliani and Commissioner Von Essen announced that civilian fire deaths in New York City have fallen 22 percent since 1991. Last year's total of civilian fire-related deaths in the City was the lowest since 1959, when there were 124. The Mayor and Fire Commissioner credited the introduction of protective bunker gear; the Certified First Responder Program and the expansion of the Department's fire education programs for this reduction.
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