FDNY applauds new lithium-ion battery legislation expected to pass into law with upcoming budget
NEW YORK (WABC) -- There was a major step toward eradicating one of the fastest-growing causes of preventable and deadly fires.
Congressional leaders expect bipartisan legislation to create a national safety standard for lithium-ion batteries will pass into law in the upcoming budget bill.
It is like an early Christmas gift from Washington lawmakers to New York's bravest.
Since 2019, explosive lithium-ion batteries have sparked 929 fast-moving fires across the city.
33 people have died in those fires, which also injured more than 500 others.
The new legislation is part of an end-of-year budget bill that still needs approval to keep the government running.
It calls for the Consumer Product Safety Commission to create a safety standard for the batteries.
"A national safety standard will finally allow for the enforcement of uncertified batteries coming into our ports, and it will allow the CPSC to issue recalls for unsafe devices," said FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker.
The legislation follows a relentless FDNY public safety campaign alerting people about the dangers of cheap, uncertified lithium-ion batteries.
That messaging has made a difference.
"The most important statistic is our fire fatalities," said FDNY Chief Fire Marshal Daniel Flynn. "So this time last year we had 18. As of today, we're at 5. And I think our advocacy on that issue has made a difference."
The commissioner and his team remain confident that federal regulations will help New York's bravest keep people safe.
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