Public Safety

Stay Safe in Your College Dorm Room: Fire Marshal’s Safety Tips

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Very soon many young people will be heading off to college — some for the first time. It is a time of big change for first time collegians beginning the next stage in their lives. Fire Safety is probably the last thing that families are thinking about as they head off to college. However, Fire Safety is very important — even more so in dorms or apartment buildings with hundreds of young students. Even more critical is “off-campus” housing that may not be covered by campus housing rules as we were so vividly reminded by the tragic fire at Marist College in Poughkeepsie a few years ago.

Public Safety

If You Don’t Remove the Cap on Smoke Detectors, They Won’t Work

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Recently, while visiting a home in town I discovered that their detectors were covered by the protective caps that are installed to protect them from dust and dirt during construction. The residents were completely unprotected! This is not the first time I have heard of this happening – orange or red plastic, protective covers left on the detectors well after construction has ceased. With these caps in place your smoke detectors will not work! They must be removed when the building is occupied and construction has ended.

News

New Canaan Fire Marshal’s Safe Grilling Tips

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At the first signs of warm weather many folks head directly to their barbecue grill to start that greatest of summertime traditions: grilling! (Or, if you are like me it never stops). To ensure everyone can enjoy their back yard bistros unencumbered by unfortunate mishaps, following is a list of steps you can take to avoid being “well done”:

Make sure that your grill is serviced and cleaned annually, following manufacturers instructions for care and use. Leak check all hoses and fittings on gas grill with a dish detergent and water solution. If any “bubbling” appears, have the grill serviced by a certified technician.

News

Fire Marshal: As Daylight Savings Nears, Remember To Change Fire, CO Alarm Batteries

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Change your clocks—change your batteries. As it seems that this interminable winter will never end, we look for signs that better (that is, warmer) weather is approaching. One of those is the beginning of Daylight Savings Time which starts this weekend, officially at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 12. (Remember: “spring ahead, fall back.”)

In concert with the nationwide campaign “Change Your Clocks—Change Your Batteries,” the New Canaan Fire Department wants to remind everyone to change the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms.

“There is no greater tragedy than one that could have been prevented.” —I can’t take credit for this statement however, I could not agree more and the tragedy of home fires with the devastation they create is a perfect example. And when the prevention is as easy as installing and maintaining smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, it becomes more ironic.

Around Town

Fire Marshal: Proper Response to Carbon Monoxide Alarms

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Recently, the New Canaan Fire Department has been receiving calls for service from residents, stating: “I think my [carbon monoxide] detector is malfunctioning—it keeps beeping but everything is fine.”

When firefighters arrive they meter the home and find that, in fact, there are low levels of carbon monoxide or ‘CO’ present. That is the beauty of CO detectors—they alarm before the threat is dangerous to occupants. The device is doing its job. When a CO detector sounds it is important to call 911 and have the Fire Department come and test your home to make sure it is safe. Common causes of CO alarming is cars started in the garage and allowed to run for few minutes (even with the door open), malfunctioning heating system or water heater, gas log sets not burning properly, small engine appliances running outside of the structure (generators, lawn mowers, etc.).