__________________________________________Ask the DA
 

In the wake of a number of serious fires in Brooklyn and across New York City, as a former New York City Fire Commissioner I would like to remind my readers about fire safety in their homes.

Since preparation of home-cooked meals is the leading cause of fires in the home, be sure to stay in your kitchen while food is cooking. If there are children in your household, enforce a “kid-free zone” around your stove to avoid any accidents or injuries. Also, to prevent burns caused by accidental overturning or spilling, turn pot handles inward so they face the wall.

If you live in an apartment without heat, call 311 to report the problem. Do not attempt to heat your apartment with your oven or burners. Never leave candles, a space heater or a lit stove or oven unattended, especially if there are young children or animals in your household. Also, be aware that space heaters need ample free space around them. They should always be placed at least three feet away from paper, fabrics or anything else that can ignite.

If you have children, teach them that matches and lighters are not toys to be played with, but rather tools to be used by adults. Tell them that if they find matches or lighters, they should let an adult know right away. Keep matches and lighters in places where children cannot get to them, such as high up or in locked cabinets. Many television programs that target youngsters have fire prevention discussions. Watch these programs with your children and review what was discussed to ensure they understood the content. It is important to have a fire safety plan for your family and to practice it with your children. Also, teach your children how to call 911, and keep your home address near the phone where they can see it.

For additional information visit www.brooklynda.org. To have your questions answered in a future column, send them to asktheda@brooklynda.org.