News

New Canaan Fire Marshal’s Fireworks Safety Tips

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With warm weather and family events, the Fourth of July can be a fun time with great memories. Before your family celebrates this year, the New Canaan Fire Marshal’s Office wishes to make sure everyone knows about fireworks safety. Only sparklers and “shower” type fireworks are legal to sell and use in Connecticut. No aerial or exploding type fireworks are permitted to be sold or used in the state. (Go to the Family Fourth – you will see a tremendous professional show.)

Only persons 16 years and older may use the above fireworks.

News

Electrical Fire on Sheridan Road Late Saturday

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Authorities say they’ve been unable as yet to determine the exact cause of an electrical fire in northern New Canaan late Saturday. Firefighters were called to 81 Sheridan Drive on a report of smoke at about 9:50 p.m. on June 24, dispatch records show. There, officials say they encountered a small electrical fire on an exterior wall of the home. Damaged was confined to the “lower part of one stud bay and exterior sheathing and siding in the area the of fire,” Fire Marshal Fred Baker said. No one was hurt by the fire.

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New Canaan Fire Marshal Issues ‘Grill Safety’ 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 backyard 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.

Fred Baker

Firefighters Extinguish Blaze at Old Stamford Road Home Early Saturday

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Firefighters before dawn Saturday were dispatched to an Old Stamford Road duplex on a. Report of a structure fire, officials said. At about 3:27 a.m., the New Canaan Fire Department received a report of the fire along Route 106 near the intersection with Park Place, and arriving units found that an electrical meter panel attached to the structure had started burning, according to Fire Marshal Fred Baker. The fire at 22 Old Stamford Road was quickly extinguished and no one was injured, Baker said. The sole occupant of the dwelling had been alerted by smoke detectors, he said. Eversource was called to disconnect the panel at the pole, Baker said.

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

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As it seems that this interminable winter will never end, we look for signs that better (i.e., 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 10. (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 CO 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. 

Thanks to generous donations by New Canaan Fire Fighters, Local 3224, free batteries will be offered to New Canaan residents (three per household, please) at Fire Headquarters on Main Street from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 9. 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.