Crime & Safety
Millburn Fire Department Express Sympathy for Brooklyn Fire Victims
MFD reminds residents to take preventative measures in their homes.

Seeking to prevent future tragedies in the wake of a recent Brooklyn house fire that claimed the lives of seven children, the Millburn Fire Department issued a plea for residents to take safety precautions in their own homes.
“On behalf of the Millburn Fire Department and all our emergency first responders, I convey our prayers and sympathies to the individuals and families affected by this tragedy,” said Millburn Fire Department Chief J. Michael Roberts.
According to reports, the Brooklyn fire may have been caused by a malfunctioning electric hotplate, exacerbated by the absence of smoke detectors in the home.
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“While no one is to blame for this terrible accident, it serves as a painful reminder of the importance of taking preventative safety precautions,” stated Roberts. “These include never leaving a stove or cooking device unattended, and ensuring that both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are installed on every floor of the home.”
Roberts said that it’s equally important to make sure that alarms work properly.
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“In addition to testing alarms regularly and changing the batteries twice a year, alarms should be replaced altogether when they reach the end of their shelf life, which is typically eight to ten years,” stated Roberts.
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