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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline NOVEMBER 24, 2023 | The Indian Eye 22

Remain safe by staying

alert and using tested devices:

NYC Commissioner

NY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh and Office of ethnic and community media held a virtual

roundtable on recent lithium-ion battery fires and the precautions to be taken to ensure safety

OUR BUREAU of these batteries are defective. They accessible in many languages spoken high-quality products.”
can overheat, catch fire, or explode. in New York City, dedicated to prop- The commissioner explained
New York, NY According to Commissioner Ka- agating safety practices against fires. that fake certification is a huge con-
A vanagh, this is a real crisis situation about these fires is that they do not cern. “We have an inspection team
One of the most alarming thing
fire killed 3 people inside
as this is one of the top causes behind
consisting of fire marshals to check
a Brooklyn home recently
which was caused by a lithium
lithium-ion battery. “These illegal, deaths in New York city. There have catch slowly rather the devices ex- on the stores selling e-bikes. Any
New Yorker can call 9-1-1 anony-
plode. When purchasing devices, be
been 17 deaths and counting across
uncertified devices are ticking time New York City in 2023. The batter- sure that the equipment has the Un- mously to report about a suspicious
bombs.” FDNY Commissioner Lau- ies are also responsible for 239 fires derwriters Laboratories Mark. The shop. We have gone to Capitol Hill
ra Kavanagh said. in the city and 124 injuries. If you UL mark shows that the product has for the congress to pass legislation to
Lithium-Ion batteries are used go back just 3 years, there were zero been safety tested. E-bikes are now ensure safe devices and we hope it to
in various devices. These batteries deaths from lithium-ion battery fires majorly used by delivery personnel. be passed soon,” she further said.
are commonly used in cell phones, in 2020. 94% of deaths have been in There are a number of illegal stores The commissioner also reiterat-
laptops, tablets, electric cars, and the non-white neighborhood. coming up selling bikes that do not ed the Do’s and Don’ts with regard
scooters. Lithium-ion batteries store This is an opportunity to com- have proper certification. to batteries – Buy UL certified bike,
a large amount of energy and can municate to the New Yorkers to re- The chief fire marshal said, never put it on charging if sleeping,
pose a threat if not treated proper- main safe while handling these de- “The cheapest option may not be and do not tamper with the bike in
ly. Like any product, a small number vices. FDNY Smart is the website, the best option. It’s important to buy any way.

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