Family ResourcesLocal & State Laws To Hold In Mind
Keene laws you should know:
- Parking regulations are enforced, up to and including arrest if fines are not paid.
- No open containers of alcohol on public property, streets or sidewalks.
- No overnight parking downtown or in parking lots. November through April.
- No bicycle or skateboard riding on downtown sidewalks.
- Bicycles should be registered for identification in case of theft and loss.
- Noise violations can result in arrest of property owner or apartment renter.
State laws you should know:
- No open containers of alcohol in vehicles.
- Drivers must stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.
- Minors (under 21) in possesion of alcohol are subject to arrest and fines.
- Furnishing alcohol to others without a licence carries heavy financial penalty and liability exposure.
Safety laws you should know:
- All rental units and multifamily (two or more apartments) buildings are required to have hard-wired, interconnected, battery back-up smoke detectors in all common areas.
- Keene's zoning ordinance allows a maximum of four unrelated adults to live in an apartment.
- It is the property owner's responsibility to have trash and rubbish picked up on a regular basis.
- All food vendors and establishments must be licensed by the city health department.
Other safety tips:
- Extension cords cause many fires in living quarters. Only UL-approved, high quality cords should be used.
- Don't run them under rugs or crimp them in any way.
- Be careful with Christmas decorations and string lighting: heed the cautions.
- Fire extinguishers: Know where the extinguishers are wherever you spend most of your time, and know how to use them quickly. Extinguishers are valuable only in the first minute or so of a fire.
- When a building fire alarm sounds, get out, fast. You can alert others on your way out, but don't delay your escape by going to other parts of a building that's on fire.
- Use extreme caution with cigarettes. Cigarettes frequently cause fires when they fall from ashtrays.
- Use caution with all cooking devices, especially small hot plates. Nearby items can ignite if they get too close.
