Dad of NYC tot burned to death by radiator demands urgent reform: ‘People need to be held accountable’
No one “in this universe — not even an evil person” should have to experience the heartbreak felt by the Brooklyn family whose baby boy was killed by a faulty radiator, according to the tot’s grieving dad — who is demanding urgent reform to prevent another senseless tragedy.
“Buildings, new and old, require careful, consistent, honest inspection … And the only way for that to happen is for there to be accountability,” Alexander Kuravsky told The Post, less than a week after little Binyomin was killed when a malfunctioning radiator poured steam into the bedroom where he was sleeping.
Kuravsky, 36, said he still isn’t sure “who exactly should be held accountable” for the 11-month-old’s death, “but absolutely people need to be held accountable because there are millions of people that are living with steam radiators — and many of whom also have children and babies inside of their homes.”
Kuravsky said his son — whose Hebrew name translates to Benjamin in English — was a joy from the moment he came into the world.
“I want people to understand that Binyomin Zachariah Kuravsky was a boy that did everything out of happiness. [He made me] a parent for the very first time, my wife a mother for the very first time, and he made parenting easy – so so easy. He wasn’t colicky, he never complained, he was a happy-go–lucky, energetic, young boy with an incredible sense of humor.
“I don’t think he was a regular baby. Most of us die at 80, 90, 100 – we’re lucky. But for some reason, God wanted him earlier, and if God wanted him earlier, I do not believe that he was a regular child – a regular baby. There was something unique [about him], something that I can’t fathom yet.
“It feels like the whole world is crying for him,” Kuravsky said.
Kuravsky, his wife, Bessie, 27, and the couple’s 1-month-old twin daughters — Ruchami and Hadassah – will never return to the East 14th Street apartment in Midwood where cops found little Binyomin unconscious, suffering from severe burns, before he was pronounced dead at Maimonides Medical Center.
A city Buildings Department probe found the deadly leak occurred because a nipple connection to the radiator was off, discharging steam into the bedroom.
The agency slapped landlord Ruvin Itskovich, with six violations – including failure to maintain the building’s radiator — which could carry up to $62,500 in penalties.
The case goes to an Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings judge on March 27.
Itskovich did not return messages.
While the Kuravskys “grieve and process” the loss, they’ve been bouncing between Alexander’s sister’s Fair Lawn, N.J. home, and Bessie’s mother’s Manhattan apartment, the devastated dad said.
A GoFundMe has raised $58,115 for the family.
City Councilwoman Farah Louis, who represents Midwood, told The Post she plans to sponsor legislation that would require the city “to create a policy regarding maintenance and inspection of radiators” as a result of the boy’s tragic death.
Radiator maintenance is currently the responsibility of the landlord, according to the DOB.
“This particular incident — it’s an unfortunate incident — sparked this conversation around making sure we’re putting in all of the regulations and safety measures,” she said.
Kuravsky urged parents everywhere to “treasure every single moment that you have with your children.
“Even if they’re already sleeping in bed, and you’re afraid to wake them up, and no matter how tired you are — just take one look at them. Don’t pass that moment up.”
