Codes Violations Force Children's Museum in Utica to Temporarily Close

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UTICA, N.Y. -- The Children's Museum of History, Natural History and Science was created decades ago to be a safe place for hands-on learning and for children to grow, but a recent inspection brought the museum's safety into question.

"There were numerous issues, safety issues that we discovered some that could have possibly put children at risk and some that would have definitely put fire fighters at risk were they fighting a fire," said Utica Fire Chief Russell Brooks.

Fire officials said the museum never registered for a New York state fire inspection, which is mandated by a state law created in 2008. Fire officials conducted a long overdue inspection of the building two weeks ago.

"One of the issues was they ran wiring down a vacant non-use chimney along with a gas line. And that just isn't acceptable," said Brooks.

In addition, the inspection report stated extension cords were used in place of permanent outlets, there were numerous cases of improper electrical wiring and installation, and some of the panic and fire exit hardware, including the sprinkler system, were not operational.

Inspectors did a thorough search throughout the five-story building, Brooks said. By the time they were finished, more than 75 codes violations were found, many of which officials said could have been easily corrected.

"The Children's Museum is such a quality-of-life issue for the city and for the children in the entire region. Nobody wants them to be closed down, nobody wants children to be denied this wonderful experience," said Brooks.

Calls and e-mails to the director of the museum were not returned. According to the website, the museum will be closed until early July to make the necessary repairs and renovations.

Brooks said the Children's Museum will have to go to City Court for their numerous violations. A date has not been set.

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Codes Violations Force Children's Museum in Utica to Temporarily Close