Local Leaders Urge Brooklyn Families To Prioritize Fire Safety In Wake Of Deadly Blaze
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- In the wake of a tragic fire that killed seven children this past weekend, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams said Monday night Brooklyn needs to have its own burn center.
He also said that it's time to renew the campaign to remind people that they need to have working smoke detectors in their homes.
Adams said that Brooklyn residents need to learn from the deaths of the children killed in a blaze inn Midwood, which investigators believe was started by a hot plate.
"It's our goal to really turn pain into purpose," he said.
Local Leaders Urge Brooklyn Families To Prioritize Fire Safety In Wake Of Deadly Blaze
The seven Sassoon children were laid to rest in Jerusalem on Monday, at an emotional ceremony attended by several thousand mourners.
Authorities identified the victims as girls Eliane Sassoon, 16; Rivkah, 11; and Sara, 6; and boys David, 12; Yeshua, 10; Moshe, 8; and Yaakob, 5.
Their father, Gabriel Sassoon, said in Hebrew Monday that he finds strength in trusting in God's plan.
Sassoon was not at home when the fire broke out, but said his his wife -- although burned -- managed to jump out of a second-floor window to try and get help to save her children. His wife, Gayle Sassoon, and 14-year-old daughter, Siporah Sassoon, survived and remained in critical condition Monday.
PHOTOS: Brooklyn Fire Kills 7 Children | Funeral For Children Killed In Brooklyn Fire
Meanwhile, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers were attracting a lot of interest at Pintchik Hardware on Monday, CBS2's Tony Aiello reported.
"Everybody gets concerned. They want to do the right thing. We ordered some escape ladders for one family that was concerned for the young children," Sal Lavore said.
The fire that devastated the Sassoon family encouraged one landlord to contact each of her tenants.
"To make sure that everybody's smoke detector worked, handed out a couple batteries," Micheline Russell-Brown said.
Experts said having a working smoke detector is the number one way to keep your home fire safe.
"Check it, want to make sure you test it once a month. Change the battery twice a year,' said FDNY Fire Prevention Lt. Anthony Mancuso.
Some local codes require so-called "worry-free" alarms with batteries that last ten years.
The rule with smoke detectors is one on every level of a single family home. In a multi-unit building you want one smoke detector in each and every apartment.
Families should also create a fire safety plan with escape routes and a meeting place, and discuss it with every family member.
