Christmas trees start more than 200 fires every year and one in every 31 results in death. Many people don't know the important safety tips, but since Sher Grogg tragically lost 6 members of her family, including her brother, Don, his wife and their 4 grandchildren in a fire caused by an overly dry Christmas tree, she has made it her mission to help other families celebrate their holidays safely. Watch Sher tell the story in her own words.
#DoItForDon Holiday Fire Safety Campaign Fire safety advocacy group, Common Voices, and Flash Max, fire safety superhero character helps spread the message through the #DoItForDon Holiday Safety Campaign
Sher has teamed up with fire safety advocacy group, Common Voices, and Flash Max, a fire safety Superhero character (and active firefighter) to help spread her message through the #DoItForDon Holiday Safety Campaign that includes a downloadable Christmas Tree Safety Flyer.
Here are three easy-to-follow tips:
- Water the Tree Stand Daily
- Always Turn the Lights off and Unplug Them Before Leaving or Going to Bed
- Dispose of the Tree Within 30 Days or By January 2, whichever comes first
Virginia Fighters And Home Fire Safety
It was after hearing about the tragic fire that claimed the lives of Sher Grogg's family that Michael Furman, the Fairfax County, Virginia firefighter created the Flash Max character. His mission: to bring the important message of home fire safety and survival to children and families. "After overcoming my own personal childhood fear of fire, I always wanted to work with children to help allay their fears. Watching how the unconscionable tragedy of a Christmas tree fire gripped the hearts of people nationwide, set the wheels in motion for Flash Max the fire safety superhero to be born," he says.
"My brother, Don, died trying to save his loved ones," notes Sher Grogg. "These are simple steps that everyone should know to keep their family safe. We also now know that if the house had fire sprinklers, the outcome would have been much different. Fire sprinklers buy time, and time buys life."