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New Canaan Fire Marshal’s ‘Fireworks Safety’ Tips

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With New Canaan’s Family Fourth Celebration canceled this year many may want to try their  hand at backyard celebrations. 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.  

Only persons 16 years and older may use the above fireworks. 
Always keep at least 30’ away from spectators and structures and strictly follow manufacturer’s instructions. 
Make sure you are in a clear, open area with no dry vegetation or other combustibles that
can easily ignite. 
Never lean over a display when igniting. 
Always have a garden hose or bucket of water available. 
If a display fails to discharge (a dud), NEVER look into it or pick it up – let it sit and then
scoop it with a shovel and dunk it in a pail of water. 
Remember, most pets are terrified of fireworks so take necessary precautions to keep
them safe. 
Never ignite fireworks while holding them, always have a level, stable surface to set them on. 
Be extremely careful of sparklers – the metal sticks become red hot and can cause severe burns – have a bucket of water available to dunk them in when they have expired.   
Be mindful of neighbors and their safety. 
Don’t throw used fireworks directly in the trash – keep them in a separate noncombustible container for at least 24 hrs.

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‘Respectful and Professional’: Longtime Colleagues on Ousted Emergency Management Director

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Municipal officials who have worked closely with Mike Handler for years as members of the New Canaan Emergency Operations Center describe him as respectful, professional and skilled—a description that is at odds with a picture that has been painted by the town’s highest elected official. The widely popular emergency management director resigned from the volunteer position last week at the request of First Selectman Kevin Moynihan, setting off impassioned debate among New Canaan residents who long have been accustomed to Handler’s timely and reassuring updates during emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Moynihan has said Handler’s own “conduct” brought on the request for his resignation, offering no details other than that there was an issue of “respect” and that complaints regarding Handler had come in for an extended period of time, from health officials and others. Handler called those allegations “hurtful and baseless,” and town officials responded to a public records request for any emails Health Department staff complaining about him to Moynihan in the week prior to his dismissal by saying there weren’t any. Asked for an assessment of the job Handler did with the EOC, Fire Chief Jack Hennessey said he’s worked with Handler since coming to New Canaan in 2006 and he “never witnessed any harsh or mistreatment of any of the volunteer or town staff team members working in the EOC over the numerous activations we have had in the past 10 years.”

“Mike Handler and his team has always done an exemplary job for the town of New Canaan,” Hennessey said.

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New Canaan Fire Marshal: Grill Safety Tips

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As we continue to shelter in place, one thing we can look forward to is firing up the backyard grill for some outdoor dining (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 manufacturer’s instructions for care and use. There are many good tutorials on Youtube.com. 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.

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

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As it seems that this winter will never end, we look for signs that better (i.e.  even 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 8, 2020. (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.  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 (3 per household, please) at Fire Headquarters on Main Street from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2020. Residents who are unable to change their own batteries may call fire headquarters at 203-594-3140 to arrange for firefighters to come to your residence for assistance. If anyone has any questions or concerns about smoke detector or carbon monoxide detectors or other fire safety topics, pleased contact the New Canaan Fire Marshal’s Office at 203-594-3030.

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Fire Marshal: Change Smoke and CO Detector Batteries as Part of Daylight Savings Time

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“There is no greater tragedy than one that could have been prevented.” I cannot take credit for this statement, however, I could not agree more and the tragedy of home fires and the devastation they inflict 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. 

This year daylight savings time ends on Sunday, November 3 at 2:00 AM. (Remember “Spring ahead – Fall back”). In concert with the nationwide campaign “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.