News

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.

Fred Baker

Fire Marshal: Hot Fireplace Ashes Ignited Garbage Truck Load on Conrad Road

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New Canaan’s fire marshal is reminding residents that fireplace ashes can remain hot for several days, after a garbage truck fire on Conrad Road last week appeared to be caused by a “hot load.”

Emergency responders were called to the area of 51 Conrad Road at about 7:58 a.m. on Feb. 4 on a report of a truck fire. 

There, they found the garbage truck with its contents on fire, which required the operator to dump the load into the road so that it could be extinguished without damaging the vehicle, according to Fire Marshal Fred Baker. “The likely cause of the fire was fire place ashes that had been disposed of from the weekend,” Baker said in a press release. “Fortunately, there were no injuries. Also, fortunately for some homeowner, their garbage pickup was Monday morning and not Tuesday morning—the fire would have been in their home.”

In addition to allowing fireplace ashes to cool, the ashes if they must be removed should go into an approved metal container with a tight lid, Baker said.

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New Canaan Fire Marshal Issues Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips

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As the temperature drops top some of the coldest temps this season it is a good time to ensure that carbon monoxide or ‘CO’ detectors are installed and properly working. The New Canaan Fire Department has responded within the past two weeks and dealt with homes that contained elevated levels of CO. One was from a fire place damper that was closed too early after a fire. Another was from a malfunctioning heating system. In both cases the homeowners were unaware and were alerted by their CO detectors.