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Fire Marshal: Two Brush Fires Over Weekend

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This past weekend, New Canaan experienced two brush fires, the first was at Bristow Sanctuary on Old Stamford Road. This was caused by a small campfire that got out of control due to gusting winds. The second was at a residence on Valley Road. This fire was caused by a resident burning brush that again got out of control due to the gusting winds. While campfires are not permitted in Bristow Sanctuary at any time, the New Canaan Fire Department was not issuing open burning permits due to the high forest fire danger.

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Fire Marshal on Residential Oil Tanks and Oil System Maintenance

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The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection recommends that homeowners play an active role in ensuring that their oil system is properly maintained on an annual basis. They also give helpful tips on how to evaluate the health of their oil system. Residential home heating oil tanks can be found:

In a home’s basement
Outside, above ground, near the house
Buried in close proximity to the house

Annual Service; service boiler, oil line and visual inspection of the tank. Indoor tanks rust from the inside out. Insure oil lines have a protective sleeve 
Inspect tank legs for damage
Check for leaks at filters and valves, look for drips
Examine gauge for leaks and cracks
Check the condition of the oil tank.

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New Canaan Fire Marshal on Home Heating Equipment Safety

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There have been two deadly fires in the northeast in the past month. The first being a Philadelphia row house fire in which 12 people were killed. The fire was most likely started when a 5-year-old boy ignited a Christmas tree with a lighter. 

The second fire, a week ago Sunday in the Bronx, N.Y., in which 17 people were killed, was caused by a space heater that was either faulty or improperly used. The death and injuries in this fire were the result of smoke inhalation. The reason for the smoke spread was that doors were left open or did not close properly.

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New Canaan Fire Marshal: Taking Down Christmas Trees

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Taking down the Christmas tree isn’t nearly as much fun as putting it up. But the longer a tree stays up, the greater a fire hazard it becomes. All Christmas trees can burn, but a dried-out tree can become engulfed in flames in a matter of seconds. In a year where many people began decorating their homes earlier than usual, trees have been in homes longer than usual, presenting an increased risk of fire as the days go by. When Christmas is over or the tree begins to drop needles, dispose of it.

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New Canaan Fire Marshal Issues ‘Holiday Safety Tips’

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The holidays are an exciting time of year and to help ensure a safe holiday season, here are some tips from the New Canaan Fire Marshal’s Office. Trees

When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label “Fire Resistant.” 
When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches and when bent between your fingers, needles do not break. The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles. 
When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces, radiators or portable heaters. Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways. 
Cut a few inches off the trunk of your tree to expose the fresh wood.