Letter to the Editor

To the Editor,

 On Monday, October 28, Roy and Dolores Tureckie of Woodland Park, N.J. were killed in a residential house fire despite first responders’ best efforts. The fire started around 12:30 a.m. in the basement of the home that they shared for 45 years. 

 Investigators have declared the cause of the fire to have been electrical, but were unable to determine if the smoke detectors in the home were working. This fire occurred only six days before daylight savings time, when it is recommended that people change the batteries in their smoke detectors. Most fatal residential fires occur while residents are sleeping and since smoke detectors rely on the reaction time of residents to be effective, it is often our most vulnerable citizens who fall victim to fires.  

 The New Jersey Assembly bill A1570 and Senate bill S2273, which would make it mandatory for all newly constructed one- and two-family homes as well as condominiums and townhomes to be equipped with fire sprinklers.  Fire sprinklers are the only proactive form of fire protection and can contain and often extinguish fires before they spread, providing residents with the time they need to get out and first responders the time they need to safely enter the structure.

 I urge you to check your smoke detectors and to educate yourselves on how fire sprinkler systems can provide your family the time needed to escape and protections against the dangers of fire. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families during this difficult time.

 Best Regards,

David Kurasz, Executive Director

New Jersey Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board

2 King Arthur Ct., Suite 1

North Brunswick, N.J. 08902