City Hall sees new bill to mandate radiator inspections four months after Brooklyn tot was fatally burned by steam from faulty heater

Georgia Worrell
·2 min read
Binyomin Kuravsky in his crib, Midwood apartment where the one-year-old died from scorching steam from a faulty radiator, close-up of Councilwoman Farah Louis
Binyomin Kuravsky in his crib, Midwood apartment where the one-year-old died from scorching steam from a faulty radiator, close-up of Councilwoman Farah Louis

Building owners will be required to conduct annual inspections of steam radiators in apartments where small children live, under a new bill introduced this week.

NYC Councilwoman Farah Louis’ (D-Brooklyn) legislation comes four months after a Brooklyn baby was fatally burned by scorching steam from a faulty heater.

Binyomin Kuravsky was just shy of turning one on Jan. 19 when a malfunctioning radiator poured steam into his bedroom in a Midwood apartment, tragically killing him.

“A negligent landlord should not be the reason [Binyomin] didn’t get to celebrate that [one-year] birthday” the late tot’s father told The Post. Courtesy of the Kurvasky family
“A negligent landlord should not be the reason [Binyomin] didn’t get to celebrate that [one-year] birthday” the late tot’s father told The Post. Courtesy of the Kurvasky family

“A negligent landlord should not be the reason he didn’t get to celebrate that [one-year] birthday and be here with his Mama and Papa today,” Alexander Kuravsky, the late tot’s father, told The Post this week.

Louis’s proposed legislation “is a common sense bill that will save lives,” Kuravsky said. “We are looking forward to the passing of the steam radiator inspection bill.”

In addition to annual inspections by a licensed plumber in units where children six years old and under live, the legislation would require building owners to provide inspection reports, repair or replace any damaged radiators.

The city Department of Buildings would be responsible for overseeing the mandatory inspections, the bill proposes.

Binyomin Kuravsky was sleeping in his bedroom at the family’s Midwood apartment when the fateful incident occurred. Paul Martinka
Binyomin Kuravsky was sleeping in his bedroom at the family’s Midwood apartment when the fateful incident occurred. Paul Martinka

Property owners could face up to a $1,000 fine if they fail to comply with the requirements.

On April 24, Binyomin’s parents started an online petition for the city to mandate radiator inspections and necessary repairs, which has received 1,054 signatures of their 1,500 goal by Friday.

“Bessie and I, and our entire family and network of friends, have been actively fighting to ensure that no family experiences the profound tragedy that we did.

NYC Councilwoman Farah Louis (D-Brooklyn) introduced the legislation on Thursday. Paul Martinka
NYC Councilwoman Farah Louis (D-Brooklyn) introduced the legislation on Thursday. Paul Martinka

“A 60 to 100 year old piece of metal — one that can steam a room up to 212 degrees – needs to be inspected. We will continue our fight and advocacy until the bill is passed,” Kuravsky said.

“We are looking forward to Binyomin’s life being remembered as one of change and meaningful impact,” Bessie added.

The proposed legislation was referred to the Committee on Housing and Buildings for review. If it gets approved by the committee, it will go to full council for a vote, then to Mayor Eric Adams to be signed into law or vetoed.