July 1, 2024 – Urban CNY

New York State Offers Firework Safety Tips for the Upcoming July 4th Holiday

by Urban CNY News
July 1, 2024

4th of July Weekend Typically Sees a Rise in Firework-Related Injuries Attend Public Fireworks Displays To Avoid Injury or Unwanted Fires and Prioritize Fire Safety if Handling Legal Sparkling Devices Governor Kathy Hochul today reminded New Yorkers to keep safe while celebrating the upcoming July 4th holiday. As part of a multi-agency effort, the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection, along with the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services’ Office of Fire Prevention and Control and the New York State Department of Health are providing tips to help New Yorkers stay safe while celebrating Independence Day with legal sparkling devices. “As we celebrate this 4th of July with family and friends, it’s important that everyone take proper precautions to keep each other safe,” Governor Hochul said. “New Yorkers should exercise caution while using legal sparkling devices and enjoy this special day.” Sparkling devices are ground based or handheld devices that produce a shower of colored sparks and or a colored flame, audible crackling or whistling noise and smoke. The law limits the type, size and construction of sparkling devices and requires that these devices must be handheld or mounted on a base or spike and be limited in sizes that range from 1 to 500 grams of pyrotechnic composition. Every year, thousands of people – most of them children, teens and young adults – are injured while using fireworks. Most of these injuries happen in the weeks surrounding the 4th of July. According to a report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there’s been an upward trend in fireworks-related injuries, with incidence increasing by 25 percent within a six-year time period. The Consumer Product Safety Commission also found that nationally nearly half of the fireworks-related injuries were to people younger than 24 years of age. In 2022, the most recent data we have, there were 173 fireworks-related injury visits reported by emergency departments in New York State, with 125 of those visits reported between June 18 and July 18. Additionally, 25 percent of the visits during that period were by patients 18 years of age or under. Common causes of fireworks-related injuries are: More than 19,500 reported fires are started by fireworks annually, according to the National Fire Protection Association. The Department also recommends taking simple precautions while watching professional fireworks displays, including using earplugs to protect hearing, keeping a safe distance from the firework launch site and leaving pets at home. Fireworks – What’s Legal and What’s Not in New York State: What’s Legal: What’s Not Legal: Tips for Using Fireworks Safely: While avoiding the use of illegal fireworks is the best way to prevent injury, people can also take precautions while watching professional fireworks displays. These include using earplugs to protect hearing, keeping a safe distance from the launch site, and leaving pets at home. If your pet is nervous around fireworks at home, please consult your veterinarian for ways to protect and comfort them. Sales of sparkling devices by certified permanent and specialty retailers can only take place during the year from June 1 to July 5 and sales of sparkling devices by certified temporary stands or tents can only occur from June 20 to July 5. A list of registered sparkling device vendors and a video about avoiding injuries from fireworks appears here. Adults are encouraged to provide children and teens with non-flammable alternatives to sparkling devices, which can be easily found at most retail stores including glow sticks and LED Items Image by StockSnap from Pixabay StockSnap from Pixabay

Elmwood (southwest) Neighborhoods News Syracuse - South

Fatal Fire on South Ave.

by Urban CNY News
July 1, 2024

Syracuse, NY- On Sunday, June 30, 2024, at 10:59 p.m., Syracuse Firefighters were alerted by the Onondaga County 911 center to a reported structure fire at 2017 South Avenue. Firefighters from Station 3, On Bellevue Ave., arrived on the scene moments later. The first due companies reported that the entire front of the building was engulfed in flames on arrival. Heavy fire was consuming the front of the first and second floors, spreading into the attic and deeper into the structure. The intense heat from the flames had caused power lines going to the house to burn away, resulting in live wires arcing and sparking in the front yard. There were initial reports of a person trapped. A signal ‘99’ was transmitted, and firefighters mounted an aggressive interior attack on the fire. The first arriving crews stretched a hose toward the building and briefly washed down the front, providing them a path to rear and the inside of the structure. Additional hose lines were stretched by incoming fire companies, and teams of firefighters began searches of the structure. Crews moving to the second floor, where the victim was reported to be located, encountered blistering heat and zero visibility. Firefighters attempted to push into the second-floor apartment to search but were beaten back by the extreme conditions. Eventually, firefighters were able to move farther into the second-floor apartment, and search teams located an unconscious victim. Rescuers moved the victim to the outside of the house, where they were immediately handed off to a waiting ambulance crew. Patient care was initiated at the scene and the victim was transported to a local hospital where they were later pronounced dead. Crews inside continued to work, extinguishing a large volume fire on the second floor and in the attic. Firefighters shifted to an overhaul operation and continued to chase hotspots and check for fire spread. Additional fire companies were brought into the scene to assist with the operation. The fire was declared out after approximately 80 minutes, and firefighters remained on scene for several hours. The home sustained heavy fire damage to the first and second floors, as well as the attic. All floors also sustained smoke and water damage. Syracuse Fire Investigators were at the scene conducting an investigation into the origin and cause of the fire. That investigation is active and ongoing. One firefighter was injured during firefighting operations, while working inside the structure. They were treated at the scene and transported to a local hospital for further treatment and later released. A total of 52 Fire Department personnel responded to this incident, including command and support staff. Syracuse Fire Department Ambulance, Syracuse Police, American Medical Response, National Grid, and the American Red Cross also responded to the scene. Pixabay Photo

Neighborhoods News Syracuse - West Westside (west)

Fire on Park Ave. Damages Two-Family Home

by Urban CNY News
July 1, 2024

Syracuse, NY– On Sunday, June 30, 2024, at 11:12 a.m., Syracuse Firefighters were alerted by the Onondaga County 911 Center to a reported structure fire at 728 Park Avenue. Multiple calls reported heavy fire coming from a two-and-a-half-story, two-family house. Smoke could be seen from blocks away as crews raced to the scene. Firefighters from Station 5, On North Geddes St., were the first to arrive just over one-and-a-half minutes later. The first arriving crews reported heavy smoke and a large volume of fire showing from the second floor near the rear of the building. A signal ‘99’ was transmitted, indicating a working fire. Crews began to stretch hoses into the building while teams of firefighters began methodical searches for anyone trapped. As they made their way inside, and up the stairs to the second floor, they were met with high heat and blinding smoke. Crews moved through the building toward the rear, locating the fire and beginning to flow water to douse the flames. Search teams confirmed no occupants were inside, all searches were negative. As the fire in the kitchen was brought under control, firefighters found the fire had spread to the rear stairwell and attic. Again, crews moved hose lines into place and extinguished the flames. A hole was cut in the roof to help release smoke and hot gases trapped in the building. As the operation wore on, additional fire companies from across the city were called to the scene to assist with fire suppression efforts. The fire was brought under control after approximately 30 minutes and declared out after approximately 60 minutes. Firefighters remained at the scene for more than four hours, checking for hot spots, clearing smoke from the building, and assisting investigators. The building sustained fire, smoke, and water damage, with the worst of the damage being on the second floor. At least two residents were displaced by this fire. They are being assisted by the Red Cross. Syracuse Fire Investigators have determined the fire began in a second-floor kitchen. The cause is under investigation. There were no injuries reported to civilians or to Fire Department personnel. A total of 47 Fire Department personnel responded to this incident, including command and support staff. Syracuse Fire Department Ambulance, Syracuse Police, American Medical Response, National Grid, and the American Red Cross also responded to the scene.

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New York State Offers Firework Safety Tips for the Upcoming July 4th Holiday

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Fatal Fire on South Ave.

Fire on Park Ave. Damages Two-Family Home

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