FDNY urges Queens residents to use working smoke alarms, avoid indoor charging of lithium batteries

Firefighter Mario Lopes of the FDNY told Queens borough leaders that working smoke alarms, basic kitchen precautions and awareness about lithium batteries are the most effective steps households can take to reduce residential fire deaths. "One of the main causes of these fires is because people smoke inside," Lopes said, and he urged residents to fully extinguish cigarette butts and to avoid indoor charging of large batteries.

Lopes framed his talk around practical steps residents can take: place a smoke alarm in every bedroom and unit, replace alarms every 10 years ("write the date on it"), and keep at least two ABC‑rated fire extinguishers — one near the kitchen and another by the main exit so a resident can spray and exit. He demonstrated the PASS technique (pull, aim, squeeze, sweep) and recommended using a lid or ceramic plate to smother small cooking fires rather than water.

The FDNY representative also warned about lithium‑ion batteries, including phones, vapes and e‑bike batteries, saying they pose a growing local risk and advising residents not to charge large batteries indoors. On disposable vapes, he advised contacting the Department of Sanitation about designated drop‑off sites and to transport discarded devices in sealed bags rather than placing them in regular trash.

Why it matters: Lopes emphasized that working smoke alarms save lives and that the city provides alarms and free installation. He provided a contact number for follow-up outreach and installations and invited the boards to request smoke‑house demonstrations and school visits to teach evacuation drills.

The FDNY said free combined smoke‑alarm and carbon‑monoxide detectors are available and can be scheduled via the QR code on the handout; the Red Cross will follow up to schedule installs. Lopes left the cabinet with a hotline (718‑281‑3875) for presentations and community events.