QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, October 3, 2013 Page 36
C M SQ page 36 Y K
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FDNY offers free smoke, CO detectors in Sandy zone Program aimed primarily at senior citizens by Stephen Geffon
mendations to improve fire safety along with distribution of free sensors. The FDNY is providing and installing Hogan said the program is particularly free of charge smoke and carbon mon- aimed at senior citizens because they oxide detectors in the homes of seniors are particularly vulnerable to fires. and other residents in the Community In 2012, the FDNY recorded 58 Board 10 and Community Board 14 area deaths due to fires, a lower number than — including Howard Beach, Broad in the past, but 43 percent of those were Channel and the aged 70 or older. Rockaways — which “If we get to the were affected by Hurseniors, we think that ricane Sandy. we can bring down ore than 40 Lt. Chris Hogan, that number,� Hogan program coordinator percent of New said. for the FDNY FoundaAt a recent CB 10 Yorkers killed in meeting, tion, said the focus is Chairwomon hurricane-damfires last year an Betty Braton said aged communities board’s area has were 70 or over. the because there has a high population of been an increase in residents over 75, serious fires in those adding that Lindenareas since the storm nearly a year ago. wood ranks particularly high in the city Hogan said his unit would visit the when it comes to the number of seniors. home of any resident in a Sandy-affected Hogan said the FDNY also wants to area who requests their service and per- reach out to hard-of-hearing individuals form a home-safety review with recom- and provide them with Lifetone alarms
which sync to the smoke alarm and alert hearing-impaired individuals with three loud “chirps� when it detects that the smoke alarm is sounding. His presentation will also include discussing the type of home an individual lives in and the challenges it presents from a fire safety point of view, having an evacuation plan as a family in the event of a fire in the home, getting out, meeting outside the home, special needs of community residents and the importance of having a smoke detector and a carbon monoxide detector. Hogan urged residents to test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors frequently and to change the batteries every six months. Older devices — generally smoke detectors over 10 years old and carbon monoxide detectors that are between five and seven years old — should also be replaced. He added that homeowners and apartment dwellers should also have a fire extinguisher on hand capable of putting out various types of household fires.
Chronicle Contributor
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When using the device, he said, residents should pull the pin, aim the nozzle at the base of the flames, squeeze the trigger and spray the area while staying close to a safe way out of the area. Hogan also offered fire safety tips: In the event a grease fire breaks out in the kitchen in a pot or pan, residents should try to cover the fire with a lid. If no cover can be found, baking soda can be sprinkled over the flames until they are extinguished. Lit candles should also never be left unattended, and all discarded cigarette butts should be doused with water to ensure that they are not smoldering. Should a fire grow out of control the entire home should be evacuated and, once all occupants are outside in a safe area, 911 should be called. For further information on fire safety for Sandy-affected seniors, contact Hogan at (718) 281-3872. The Fire Department also offers free CPR courses to businesses, civic groups, schools and other organizations anywhere in the city. For information on those, call (718) 281-3888 or go online P to nyc.gov/fdny/cpr.
It’s not just a Bridge move
PASS It may save your life
ull the pin on the top of your fire extinguisher. im at the base of the fire, not at the flames. queeze the lever slowly to spread the chemical. weep from side to side until the Q fire is out.
P A S S
— fireextinguisher101.com
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