'Live Fire Demonstration' Rescheduled for Upcoming Market Night Dec. 20

A "live fire demonstration" intended to highlight Christmas tree safety and dangers is rescheduled for Market Night on Dec. 20 in Redlands.

The fire demonstration originally scheduled for Dec. 13 was postponed due to rain.

"The holiday tradition of bringing home a live Christmas tree and decorating it is a fun one, but one that also concerns Redlands firefighters," a city spokesman said. "Christmas tree fires aren't common in Redlands, but they do happen. And when they do occur, they have a greater chance to be serious."
 
To illustrate this, Redlands firefighters plan to conduct a live fire demonstration at 7 p.m. Thursday Dec. 20 at Market Night, Redlands spokesman Carl Baker said.

"Visitors to the demonstration will experience the speed, heat and ferocity of a Christmas tree fire in 'real time,'" Baker said.
 
Redlands Fire Chief Jeff Frazier offered safety tips.
 
·     Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that don't fall off when touched.

·      Before placing the tree in the stand, cut 2" from the base of the trunk.

·     Hydrate the tree immediately once in the home. Add water daily.

·     Place the tree at least three feet from any heat source, including heaters, candles, heat vents or lights.

·     Be sure the tree is not blocking an exit.

·     Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory.

·     Replace any lights with worn or broken cords.

·     Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.

·     Turn off tree lights before leaving home or going to bed at night.

·     Dispose of the tree after the holiday or when it is dry. Dried out trees are a fire danger.

·     Be sure to have working smoke detectors installed in your home.

·     Recycle your tree with the City of Redlands.

Market Night is held 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. most Thursdays on State Street between Orange and Ninth streets, weather permitting.

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