Fire, Safety and You

 Fire, Safety and You

By Dan Guarino

Fire, once it starts, becomes a nightmare threatening homes, families, belongings and lives. But, says the FDNY and local volunteer fire departments, there are steps you can take to reduce risks of fire breaking out and to protect you and your family if they do.

Broad Channel Volunteer Fire Department Lieutenant James McCabe notes within our area, “we don’t have high fire volume…given that houses are built a lot safer, and people are taking fire safety more seriously.”

The “hot topic” though “is the lithium batteries. And about using proper chargers, about replacing them with proper batteries. It’s extremely dangerous. That’s pretty much where the majority of fires in the city are coming from.” In 2023, they accounted for 267 NYC fires, 18 deaths, and 150 injuries, surpassing smoking and cooking in fire fatalities.

Lithium-ion batteries are used in many devices like cellphone, laptops, cameras, tablets, power tools, but “the biggest things are the e-bikes, hover boards,” and scooters. The FDNY has launched major initiatives to corral illegal or defective battery sales and use. Departments across the country are developing protocols to deal with battery fires. Some Rockaway complexes have outright banned e-bike storage in apartments or on premises.

“Like any product,” the FDNY says, “a small number of these batteries are defective. They can overheat, catch fire or explode.”

McCabe, who handles fire safety and fire safety education for the BCVFD, has been volunteering for about 14 years. He says “A big part of it is the e-bikes. That’s where the bulk of the problem comes from, ‘micro-mobility devices.’ The FDNY has a lot of resources dedicated to find the shady dealers, repair shops—even make arrests.”

He explains with an e-bike’s battery you “have a box, there can be 50, 60, 80 of those AA size batteries in there. If you have a fire and even two of those cells go off, if there’s energy in those other cells, even after the fire goes out, they can ignite again. As long as there’s some kind of charge in there, there’s a possibility.”

Even if they are not the cause of a fire, their flammable nature can endanger residents and firefighters. “If you’re in there fighting the fire, you’re dragging your hose past that, that thing can go off like that. It can burn through your hose. That’s your lifeline. Now you’re trapped in there. You might not even hear a pop, and it goes up just like that, that fast,” Lt. McCabe says.

A few simple steps can prevent disaster. The FDNY states, “When purchasing devices, look for the Underwriter Laboratories (UL) mark. It shows that the product has been tested to nationally recognized safety standards.” Cheaper knock-offs or unsafe electronics don’t carry that seal. UL conducts extensive, rigorous, safety testing on all manner of products, which fire departments, insurers and government agencies rely on.

Besides following all charging/storage instructions, always buy the manufacturers brand when purchasing new batteries, chargers, or cords. Do not seek out cheaper, less reliable products.

“It can be a little pricey when you get it from the manufacturer,” Lt. McCabe says. “Most of those cheap chargers come in different colors, lengths, etc. People are always going for the cheaper one.” Besides being a potential fire hazard though, they often don’t work as well.

Also never leave your device charging while unattended. “Don’t sleep with your device on the bed or next to it,” McCabe says. “While it’s charging, it can heat up,” causing a fire and exposing blankets, pillows, even mattresses to burn. Do not leave e-bikes, hoverboards, scooters, etc., charging or otherwise, near your door, bedroom door or stairs, in case fire breaks out. “God forbid, you’ve blocked your access out,” he said.

To put out a battery fire, the International Association of Fire Chiefs states that, unlike normal electrical fires, “flames from a lithium-ion battery should be knocked down with copious amounts of water.”

Though fire extinguishers are designated A for ordinary combustibles like wood, paper, etc., B for grease and oil fires and C for electrical fires, a combination ABC extinguisher is generally good for all types. However, McCabe emphasizes, “Those ABC extinguishers aren’t doing anything for a lithium-ion fire. The best thing you can do is cool it down.”

Regarding electrical fire safety, the FDNY advises residents to never use damaged electrical cords, run them under rugs or staple or hang them from nails as these can damage them, or overload power strips or outlets, use inexpensive extensions, or put large appliances on the same outlets or circuits. Safety always far outweighs convenience or a bargain price.

Currently all NYC structures are designated as non-fireproof, where it is best to evacuate immediately as fires can spread through the building, or fireproof, built to contain fire in the area where it started, where it may be safer to stay in your apartment with doors closed and blocked from smoke with tape or wet towels, rather than risk flames or smoke-choked hallways. Check with the Department of Buildings or call 311 to check your address. “And also close your door if there’s a fire, so it doesn’t spread,” Lt. McCabe says.

Above all, be prepared, not complacent. “A lot of people think, ‘This can’t happen to me.’ But smoke detectors, evacuation plan, fire extinguishers—have those three things. Have an evacuation plan and practice it.” Don’t wait for a fire, when it’s too late. Have a practiced exit plan. And have a designated meeting place outside, so you will know if everyone is out and accounted for, to inform the fire department before they risk lives going inside.

If you catch fire, “Stop, drop, cover your face with your hands and roll” to protect exposed skin and extinguish the flames. Fire moves fast. At the first sign or alarm, don’t hesitate, don’t go back for belongings. Move. Then call 911 asap.

Most of all, be in the know. The BCVFD and FDNY are ready to talk to groups of all ages about safety. Go to www.fdnysmart.org/safety/, call 311 or contact the BC Vollies at 718-474-6888.

Stay safe.

Photos by Dan Guarino

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