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New Canaan Fire Marshal: Change Your Clocks, Change Your Batteries

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This year, Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday, March 8th at 2 a.m. (Remember “Spring Forward – Fall Behind.”)
In concert with the nationwide  “Change Your Clocks – Change Your Batteries,” the New Canaan Fire Department and the New Canaan Fire Marshal’s Office also want to remind everyone to change the batteries in your smoke detectors. By being proactive this also helps avoid that annoying “chirp” that inevitably starts at 2 in the morning. Also, if you have an alarm system, having annual servicing to ensure proper operation is vital. Residents who are unable to change their own batteries may call fire headquarters at 203-594-3140 to arrange for fire fighters to come to your residence for assistance. If you have a security system with integrated smoke detectors, residents are reminded that these systems require annual maintenance as well.

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New Canaan Fire Marshal: Forest and Brush Fire Prevention

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This office, in conjunction with the upcoming National Fire Prevention Week, would like to reiterate the importance of the tips the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has put forth in an effort to increase awareness and prevention of Forest and Brush Fires. For New Canaan specific information, please contact the Fire Marshal’s Office at 203-540-3030. 

When visiting our state or community parks, remember the following when creating a campfire:  

Obey local laws regarding open fires, including campfires.  
Keep all flammable objects away from fire. Scrape away leaves, twigs, and grass within a 10-foot diameter circle from fire.  
Have firefighting tools nearby and handy.  
Never leave a fire unattended.  
Carefully dispose of hot charcoal. 
Drown all fires. 

Equally important are the steps you can take to protect your home from the possibility of starting or being involved in a wildfire scenario:  

Make a fire safe zone around your house. 
Clean flammable vegetation and debris from at least 30 feet around the house and any outbuildings.  
Prune away the lower limbs of evergreens that are within the fire safe zone. Evergreens catch fire easily during dry periods and burn quickly.  Remove any limbs which overhang the roof or chimney.  
Regularly remove leaves and needles from gutters.  
Do not store firewood in the fire safe zone.  
Use fire resistant roofing materials.  Make sure firefighters can find and access your home. Mark your house and roads clearly, and prune away limbs and trees along your driveway which do not allow fire truck access.  
Have an escape plan and practice it.  
Follow state and local open burning laws.  
Stay with outside fires until they are completely safe and dead out.

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Town Offering Free Fire Safety Assessments at New Canaan Homes

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The New Canaan Fire Marshal’s office in conjunction with New Canaan Fire Co. #1, is accepting appointments to conduct complimentary fire safety assessments at New Canaan homes. These assessments are part of the New Canaan Fire Department’s longstanding and continuous commitment to fire prevention and our community risk reduction program. I myself, along with 1 member of Fire Co. #1, will perform the assessment.

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New Canaan Fire Marshal: College Fire Safety

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[Paul Payne is the New Canaan fire marshal.]

This month many young adults are preparing to travel to college. Students and parents carefully researched the school for the best academic experience. To this point parents have ensured their child’s safety and security living within your home, now they are being asked to live on their own. 

There is an annual average of 4,000 fires in college dormitories, fraternities, sororities and related housing. Over 80% of the college student fire fatalities occurred in off-campus housing. Most of the fires occur between the hours of 5pm and 11pm.

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New Canaan Fire Marshal: Spontaneous Combustion

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[Paul Payne is the New Canaan fire marshal.]
Last week, a New Canaan residence experienced a fire caused by spontaneous combustion. The spontaneous combustion, or spontaneous ignition in this case, happened after an employee applied an oil based product to outdoor wood furniture. Upon completion of the day’s work, the oily rags, sponges and brushes were placed in a plastic bucket in the corner of an outbuilding on the property. When he arrived to complete task the following morning, he found the entire area burned and charred from floor to ceiling. Spontaneous combustion most often occurs when a flammable material (oil, stain, gasoline or other solvents) comes into contact with a combustible object such as a rag, towel or drop cloth.