Fires in New York City: What Residents Should Know

In 2008, the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) reported nearly 45,000 incident s of fire. This past March, there were over 4,000 fires citywide. We all love and appreciate our local firefighters for their dedication, strength, and protection, and thanks largely in part to the resources provided by the FDNY, the following article is intended to aid New Yorkers by explaining what to do before, during, and after a fire.

Prevention
No matter where you live, the most important thing you can do is install smoke detectors on each level of your home and outside of each sleeping area. Test each device once a month, and change the batteries twice a year (or if the detector regularly chirps, signaling a dying battery). Additionally, FDNY offers the following tips for preventing residential New York fires:

•    Keep portable space heaters at least 3 feet from anything that can burn. Never leave heaters on when you leave home or go to bed.
•    Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children. Store them up high, preferably in a locked cabinet.
•    Never leave a lit candle unattended in any room of the house or burning when you go to bed.
•    Similarly, never smoke in bed, and make sure that there are no smoldering butts when you empty ashtrays.
•    Cook with care. Keep a small portable dry chemical fire extinguisher readily available.

If you live in an apartment or high-rise, FDNY includes a few more precautions for residents to take:

•    Never keep garbage in the hallway.
•    Make sure that your apartment door is a tight-fitting, self-closing door in compliance with the fire code.
•    Inspect your exit stair doors. They must be self-closing, snap shut, and unlock from both sides.

Escape
Have an escape plan ready. The plan should include an exit strategy and a predetermined location to meet outside the structure, away from any potential danger. Regularly rehearse and practice your plan. In the event of fire, remember these tips in addition to your evacuation plan:

•    Go quickly but safely to avoid injury upon evacuation.
•    Stay low. Heat and smoke rise.
•    Never return to get something you’ve forgotten.

If you live in an apartment or work in a high-rise building, there are a number of other precautions to take in the event of fire:

•    Know your floor, particularly where exits are located.
•    Use stairs, and avoid elevators.
•    Alert others on the floor by knocking on doors. Activate the fire alarm.
•    Take your room key with you if you are forced to evacuate.
•    Stay inside rather than entering smoke-filled hallways, especially if the fire is on a floor below your apartment.

In the event you remain inside, be sure to:

•    Keep your door closed.
•    Seal the door with duct tape or wet sheets and towels. Seal ventilators and any other openings where smoke may enter.
•    Fill your bathtub with water. If the front door gets hot, wet it down.
•    Unless flames or smoke are coming from below, open your windows a few inches at the top or bottom. Don’t break the windows; they may need to be closed later.
•    If you feel you are in grave danger, open a window and wave a bed sheet for firefighters to spot you.

Damage Control
After a fire, FDNY advises contacting your insurance agent as soon as possible. Additionally, if you’ve become victim to fire damage, FDNY suggests using a professional fire and water damage restoration business. In order to minimize potential fire damage and the loss of particularly important documents or personal belongings, FDNY recommends purchasing a fire safe box in which to store any items of value. Also note that fire-damaged cash and bonds may potentially be replaced by contacting the U.S. treasury.

Interestingly, oftentimes after a fire much of your food is still salvageable. For instance, canned and jarred foods simply need to be washed with detergent and water. Also, refrigerated and frozen foods may be potentially saved as well. Keeping refrigerator and freezer doors closed and sealed can preserve their contents up to one day.

The unfortunate reality of life is that fires do happen, and the chance of someone witnessing a fire first-hand during his or her lifetime is significant. By remembering these helpful fire prevention and safety tips, you’ll be minimizing the risk and likelihood of New York fires.

~Richard McNeal, 2009