Here’s something Fairfield Fire Chief Richard Felner told NBC Connnecticut in the wake of a house fire this month that claimed the lives of a mother and daughter: “If they had smoke detectors, that might have saved their lives.”
In the wake of that tragedy and with an eye on safety, New Canaan Fire Marshal Fred Baker is offering a free, courtesy home inspection to town residents.
“Fire Marshals in the state of Connecticut do not have jurisdiction in one- or two-family homes, so our only avenue to promote fire safety to those most at risk is through PSAs, articles in local media, school visits, speaking to public groups,” Baker said in a written statement. “Another option is to be invited into one’s home to conduct a ‘Courtesy Home Inspection’ where we visit to review important home fire safety tips.”
Those include:
- Smoke and CO detector placement;
- Safe ash disposal;
- Home fire extinguishers;
- Home escape plans;
- Extension cord use;
- Flammable and combustible fuel storage;
- How to properly handle a cooking fire.
“No citations will be issued and there is no charge for this service,” Baker said.
To hear more or schedule a courtesy visit from the New Canaan fire marshal, call his office at 203-594-3030.