Gothamist: Fatal Chelsea Fire Caused by Fire Play

NannyState

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 22:28:26 -0500

I just wish those people were still around to heed all the useful advice :(

cucarachita

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:40:19 -0500

At 6:30 in the morning on a Saturday? It sounds like a tragic case of a bored kid finding a way to pass the time while the rest of them were asleep. For your own sakes, if you have young kids and don't want to wake up as early as they do, teach them to stay in bed and read a book or play with their small toys in their own room till you get up. My parents forbade us to get out of bed before they did, when we were young and stupid enough to do things like play with matches and lighters. It did not traumatize us! We talked, and had our toys in bed waiting for them to wake up. Not only did it keep us from falling out of windows or lighting fires, they also slept better.

sinisterteashop

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:38:27 -0500

Let's make a deal New York Fire Department. We check our smoke detectors to make sure that the batteries are working and you pressure the city to make sure that its buildings have fire exits for the people who live in them.

MaryO

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:44:00 -0500

For your own sake and that of your loved ones, please make sure your smoke and CO detectors are working (I was caught in a CO emergency early this year). If you can't remember when you last changed the battery, DO IT TODAY. Then change it when the clocks change in the spring. Also, update your photo ID if you don't have your current address on it. Make a good photocopy of it, and tape it and emergency contact information on the inside of your apartment or house entrance. If you need to get out fast without your wallet (try to leave that right by the door anyway), you can grab it and have proof of where you live and information on whom to call. The Red Cross requires some proof of residence in order to give out full financial assistance, and I'm pretty sure that's true of other agencies as well.