Too often, every year, the joyous holiday season becomes the setting of a nightmare and death. In the wee hours of the morning, Jan. 19, 2015, the world became a much darker place when I lost my invincible brother, Don, my ingenious sister-in-law, Sandy, and their four adorable and vivacious grandchildren, Lexi, Charlotte, Katie and Wes, to a Christmas tree fire that was too fast, too furious, and too toxic to escape.
Although the smart home was alarmed with state-of-the-art smoke detectors, which immediately called the fire department, no one survived.
The tree caught fire from a faulty electrical power strip which connected to the lights, and caused flashover to occur in under three minutes.
No one survives flashover. It is the point at which the heat at ceiling and floor becomes equal and everything in the room ignites and bursts into flames.
If it could happen to them, people who were fit and had all of the state-of-the-art technology to save them, except home fire sprinklers, it could happen to you.
Join us and help prevent Christmas tree fires this year, and the immense sorrow and loss of life which is avoidable.
Please spread our Holiday Safety flier to places where local live trees are sold in your communities. Help me educate families on Christmas tree care.
Don’s friends and associates always had a mantra, “Do It For Don.” I say let’s do it for Don, Sandy, and the kids!
Honor their memory with me, by watering your tree daily, unplugging overnight and when unattended, and disposing of immediately after New Year’s Day.
Sher Grogg
Selbyville
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