New Canaan Fire Marshal Issues ‘Fire Prevention Week’ Tips

In observance of Fire Prevention Week October 9^th through October 15th, the New Canaan Fire Marshal’s Office offers the following Fire Safety Tips:

• Install smoke detectors on all levels of your home. Check them monthly and replace the batteries annually.
• Store gasoline and propane tanks outside, not in garages or basements.
• Keep ovens and stoves grease free.
• Clutter can have disastrous consequences in a fire. Keep trash, boxes, and old clothing from piling up in basements and attics.
• Check on the condition of extension cords, and don’t overload circuits. Extension cords must not be plugged in to each other.
• Maintain heating equipment and have chimneys cleaned regularly.

Fire Marshal Paul Payne. Credit: Michael Dinan

Have a Home Escape Plan consisting of the following:

1. Two ways out of every room in the house.

2. Crawling low in smoke.

3. Test doors for heat, if HOT use second means of escape.

4. Close all doors behind you to slow the spread of fire.

5. After leaving the house go to predetermined meeting place.

6. Have someone call the Fire Department from a neighbor’s house.

7. Once accounted for never re-enter the House.

8. Practice your escape plan monthly using alternating means of escape. 

• This year with the high cost of heating oil, if you will be using alternative heating methods, extra care must be used to be sure that the heat producing devices are operated properly. Follow manufacturer’s recommended installation and operating methods. 

• Chimneys must be properly cleaned, maintained. 
• For wood stoves and kerosene heaters, proper clearance from combustibles must be maintained, at least 3 feet. Fresh air supplies must meet or exceed fuel burning heating device requirements.

• Carbon Monoxide detectors must be installed.
• Space heaters must be kept at least 36” from combustibles.
• No extension cords shall be used between electrical heating devices and wall outlets, devices must plug directly into the wall.

If you would like a complimentary home safety inspection or have any additional questions regarding fire safety please contact the Fire Marshal’s Office at 203-594-3030.