NewCanaanite.com (https://newcanaanite.com/author/paul-payne/page/2)
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.
[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.
[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.
Outdoor grilling remains one of the most popular ways to cook food. A grill placed close to anything that can burn is a fire hazard. Over 10,000 home fires are started by grills on a yearly average. 64% of all U.S. households own at least one outdoor bbq, grill or smoker.
Propane and charcoal BBQ grills should only be used outdoors.
Never leave your grill unattended.
Grills should be placed well away from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.
Clean your grill by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.
Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting it.
Charcoal Grills
There are several ways to get the charcoal ready to use. Charcoal chimney starters allow you to start the charcoal using newspaper as a fuel.
If you use a starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid.
[Paul Payne is the New Canaan fire marshal.]
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.
Do not leave it in the house or store it in the garage.
Never burn a tree in the fireplace or wood stove.
To dispose of your tree, it can be taken to the Steve Benko pool in Waveny Park through Jan. 12 where it will be recycled and used to resurface the trails at the Nature Center.