As the temperature starts to drop and the leaves start to turn it is never too soon to take some preliminary action to prepare for cooler weather. Not only will it save you money on your utility bills it will help ensure your safety and comfort during cold weather. Home Heating Systems
Should be professionally inspected, cleaned, and serviced at least every year. Many companies offer discounted rates for a maintenance call versus an emergency repair. Wood Stoves
As we all face higher heating costs for our homes we will be looking for ways to save a few dollars.
The town last week appointed a longtime public safety official in the state and region as interim chief of the New Canaan Fire Department, months after he joined the agency. Albert “Albe” Bassett takes on the role in the wake of Fire Chief Jack Hennessey’s retirement, which was effective Nov. 1. “I think it’s a terrific thing for our community to have you step up and become our new fire chief,” Selectman Nick Williams said during the Nov. 1 regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen, held at Town Hall and via videoconference.
Each year over 2,500 people die in fires, most of them in residential occupancies. National Fire Prevention Week is October 3 to 9 this year and the theme is “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety.” Fire Service throughout the country will be working to emphasize fire safety awareness as will the New Canaan Fire Department. Firefighters will be visiting schools throughout town giving demonstrations on how to stay fire safe. Also, school, church and scout groups will be touring the fire house to learn about how the firefighters live, train and work.
Following is a list of general fire safety tips to help stay safe at home:
First and foremost, have smoke detectors installed on each level of the home and inside of each sleeping room and make sure they have fresh batteries at least once per year. If over 10 years old, they should be replaced. New 10 year detectors that do not required battery changes are best for replacement.
Install CO (carbon monoxide) detectors on each level of your home to protect you and your family for the “silent killer”. If a pot on the stove catches fire, turn off the burner and cover with the lid or a cookie sheet to smother the fire. Never try to carry the pot to the sink or outside and never use water.
Police, fire and EMTs responded late Sunday to two car crashes that occurred within minutes of each other in the same area of Old Stamford Road, both involving New Canaan males under 17 years old. The front-seat passenger of a BMW with three teens inside that crashed around 8:35 p.m. suffered a significant leg injury and had to be extricated from the vehicle, according to police. The BMW had been traveling southbound in the area of 93 Old Stamford Road when it traveled off of the roadway and struck two trees, police said. Two passengers from that car were transported to the Norwalk Hospital Emergency Room by New Canaan Emergency Medical Services, police said. The passenger with the leg injury had to be extricated by the New Canaan Fire Department, police said.
As we deal with hurricane season it is a good time to review generator safety. Past experiences show that many residents have generators at their homes that—if not installed and used properly—can pose a serious threat. The primary hazard is carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from the toxic engine exhaust.
Following is a list of do’s and don’ts for portable and stationary generator use and installation:
Make sure that a building permit has been obtained from the Building Department for the installation of a standby generator. When choosing generator location, make sure it is located a minimum of 10 feet from any building opening (windows, doors etc). Close all windows adjacent to the generator to prevent toxic fumes from entering the home.
