Xmas Tree Burn Demo
Annual Christmas Tree Burn Demonstration to be held Dec. 6
How many seconds will it take for the fire to spread?
To remind residents about the importance of fire safety this holiday season former Assemblyman John Wisniewski is sponsoring a live Christmas Tree and Fire Sprinkler Burn Demonstration in conjunction with the New Jersey Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board and Sprinkler Fitters Local 696.
When: 11 a.m., Thursday, December 6, 2018
Where: Monmouth Fire Academy, 1027 NJ-33, Freehold, NJ 07728
Winter months are the leading time of the year for home fires. The National Fire Protection Association reports that on average 170 home fires are caused by Christmas trees annually, and one of every 45 reported home fires that began with a Christmas tree resulted in a death. In addition, on average 800 home structure fires began with holiday decorations (not including Christmas Trees).
The burn features the Super Side-by-Side Burn Trailer equipped with three rooms, each outfitted with similar furniture, a Christmas tree and holiday decorations. All rooms have smoke alarms, but only one of rooms has been equipped with a fire sprinkler system. The middle room includes an adjoining door on each side that can be left open or closed. A small fire is lit in the two outside rooms allowing the audience to see how quickly Christmas trees can catch fire a ignite other items in the room. The room without the sprinkler is often destroyed in seconds, while the flames are quickly suppressed in the room with the fire sprinkler. The doors to the middle room are kept closed to illustrate how important the “Close Before You Doze” initiative is to slow the spread of smoke and fire by closing bedroom doors at night. The demonstration will also feature fire safety tips and educational information about protecting your home and family from fire during the holidays and year-round.
Former Assemblyman Wisniewski served as Chairman of the New Jersey Fire Safety Commission, and he has been a long-time advocate for fire safety education and improving fire safety in the Garden State.