In the 31 years I worked in emergency response at the FDNY before I became fire commissioner, I have seen the highs and lows of the department’s work firsthand. Days I cherish, when lives were saved. Days I wish I could forget, when the efforts of the skilled firefighters, EMTs and paramedics were not enough to save a life. Some years, we had more fire fatalities than others, and that reality, sadly, is part of the job.
2026 is one of those years; an extraordinarily busy year marked by weather events, a Knicks championship, America 250, the 4th of July, the World Cup, and the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11. We also battled several multiple-alarm fires, two barge explosions and more than one fire that killed multiple victims.
All told, 71 New Yorkers have died so far in a fire this year, compared to 40 at the same time last year. Of that number, 21 fatal fires were caused by electrical issues.
This Fire Prevention Month, we remind New Yorkers how to prevent fires before they start. Fire risks grow with the cold weather, so you will hear critical fire safety messaging that can literally save your life. Take these messages seriously, whether you are a tenant or a property owner.
Electrical issues — like faulty wiring, overloaded power strips, and improper extension cord usage — are the leading cause of fatal fires so far this year. Making small changes in your own home can prevent them. Check plugs and extension cords; ensure they’re not frayed. Do not plug power strips into other power strips. Confirm heavy appliances are plugged directly into the wall. Buy power strips that are nationally safety certified. These small details are easy to correct and make a difference when it comes to saving lives.
Keeping your building up to code can save lives, too. If something goes wrong, functional self-closing doors can be the difference between a scare and a disaster. Ensure heat is working so tenants don’t need space heaters, which can be particularly hazardous in buildings with older electrical systems. These aren’t just legal requirements; they keep tenants safe.
When using micro-mobility devices like e-bikes powered by lithium-ion batteries, charge and store outside the home, where possible. Don’t use them if they’re damaged, smoking or leaking. Replace them rather than fix them, and don’t buy off-market brands.
Heat your home safely. Keep space heaters three feet away from anything that can catch fire and turn them off overnight. Plug them directly into the wall and not a power strip or extension cord. Never use ovens to heat your home. Blow candles out before leaving the room. Finally, have working smoke alarms, and test them monthly.
If a fire does occur in your home, don’t try to put it out yourself. Call 911 immediately. Close the door behind you when you leave. Have and practice a fire escape plan with your family.
These safety tips can be found on our educational website, FDNYSmart.org.
We know one fire death is too many. At the FDNY, our mission is to save lives. We teach fire safety education year-round to make sure people know what they can do to save their own lives in the event of a fire.
Take a moment to familiarize yourself — and your family — with this important information. We hope you will never have to use it, but if you do, it can make all the difference. Do your part to be fire safe, and working together, we know we can save lives.
Bonsignore is the fire commissioner of the City of New York.