New Canaan Fire Marshal Issues Fireworks Safety Tips

With warm weather and family events the Fourth of July can be a fun time with great memories. But before your family celebrates this year, the New Canaan Fire Department wants 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.

New Canaan Fire Marshal Issues ‘Gas Grill Safety Tips’

The New Canaan Fire Marshal’s Office offers the following information for residents with the upcoming outdoor cooking season. 

Gas Grill Safety Tips

Always follow manufacturer’s instructions for assembly, operation, maintenance, repair and storage.  Consult owner’s manual. 
Always turn control knobs to off and tank valve to closed when not in use. 
Inspect grill and tank before each use for damage or wear. Replace worn grill parts as needed, especially hoses and regulators. 
Using soapy water, check tank and valve for leaks. Open the valve, but leave the appliance off while testing. 
Before lighting grill, always open grill lid. 
Never move a grill that is in use. Never store a spare tank beneath a grill. 
Never store or use flammable liquids, like gasoline, near the grill. 
Keep grills at least 3 feet away from structures and other combustibles. 
Gas grills should not be placed on balconies. Grills are prohibited on decks and balconies in apartment buildings. 
Never use gas or charcoal grills indoors. When transporting tanks for refilling they must be kept in the upright position and secured against “rolling around”. Tanks should never be transported in trunks due to the heat that can build up in the sun.

Fire Marshal: ‘Dry Hydrant’ Options in New Canaan

The town has added another dry hydrant at 795 West Rd. at the West Road Bridge to its inventory, bringing our total to 44 dry hydrants. Adequate and readily available water supply is a critical function of firefighting. Only about 30 percent of New Canaan is protected by municipal water supply (traditional fire hydrants). The remainder of town relies on cisterns and dry hydrants like this one on West Road.

New Canaan Fire Marshal on ‘Burning Permits’

Recent issues regarding open burning and burning permits have raised questions regarding this practice in New Canaan. 

Open burning regulations for Connecticut are administrated by the State Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Air Quality Division with permits issued by the local Fire Department. Following is a list of tips to help keep us all safe when burning:

Burning permits are required when burning.  Permits are issued by the Fire Department at 60 Main Street only on the day you wish to burn. A phone call to the Fire Department on the morning of the day you wish to burn might save you a trip if a burning permit would not be issued for that day. 203-594-3140
Only brush and tree branches, up to three inches in diameter may be burned.  No leaves, trash or construction/demolition materials may be burned. Burning will not be permitted when the burn danger is “high” or “extreme” and/or high wind days.  Burning also will not be permitted when the air quality index is high according to DEEP.

New Canaan Fire Co. Practices Water Rescue Drills at Mead Pond

New Canaan firefighters on Saturday practiced water rescues at Mead Park, rehearsing drills that save the lives of people, pets and wildlife. Firefighters execute water rescues from one to five times per year, according to Russ Kimes III, assistant chief of the New Canaan Fire Company No. 1. “Obviously, New Canaan has a fair number of bodies of water,” Kimes told NewCanaanite.com. “We ended up getting called out just after doing that drill,” he added.