Councilman Deutsch Promotes Fire Safety Through Smoke Alarm Giveaways

Alex Ellefson -
City Councilman Chaim Deutsch. (Photo: Alex Ellefson / Sheepshead Bites)

In partnership with a city-wide effort to drive down the number of fire-related deaths and injuries, City Councilman Chaim Deutsch will hold the first of three smoke detector giveaways at his office next week.

The giveaways are part of the city’s $4 million #GetAlarmedNYC initiative, the largest smoke detector distribution program in the country, which was formed in response to the tragic Midwood fire that claimed the lives of seven brothers and sisters earlier this year.

Deutsch plans to hold the first smoke detector giveaway at his district office, at the corner of Avenue U and East 24th Street, on Monday, November 16, from 4 – 7pm. The next two events will be held at the councilman’s district office from 4 – 7pm on November 30 and December 14.

Those who attend can sign up to have volunteers from the American Red Cross install the smoke detectors in their homes.

Deutsch said he fought for the city’s smoke alarm distribution program following the deadly fire in Midwood. Officials determined there were no working smoke detectors on the home’s first floor that would have alerted the family to the fire that started in their kitchen.

At the 61st Precinct Community Council Meeting Wednesday night, Deutsch described a similar experience several years ago when his 3-year-old son accidentally started a late night stove-top fire in their kitchen. The smoke detectors woke up the family and Deutsch said he was able to extinguish the flames and call 911 before the fire got out of control.

“If not for the working smoke detectors, I probably wouldn’t be here speaking to you today,” Deutsch said.

The councilman will also be holding free digital mammograms and breast exams, in partnership with the American-Italian Cancer Foundation, at his district office on Wednesday, November 18, from 2 – 4:30pm. Women 40 years and older, who are New York City residents and have not had a mammogram in the last year, are eligible for the screenings. To make an appointment, call 718-368-9176.