Live burn shows just how quickly Christmas tree fires can turn devastating and deadly.
The devastating damage Christmas tree fires can inflict on people and property – and just how quickly it can happen – were vividly demonstrated during a live burn event on Monday at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) research lab in Rockville, MD. The footage (above) underscores just how fast a dried out Christmas tree burns, with flashover occurring in about 30 seconds, while a well-watered tree burns at a far slower rate.
Of course, the goal of the burn event isn’t to scare people away from enjoying the holidays. It’s to remind everyone about the importance of taking simple safety precautions that can ensure a festive and fire-safe season.
For a wealth of information, videos, tip sheets and other resources addressing the safe use of Christmas trees, candles and other holiday decorations, visit www.nfpa.org/external-link.
Yesterday, 7 of our teams headed off to help out Meco DKI in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia with the severe flooding they experienced on Thanksgiving.
Some people in Cape Breton are still desperate for information on where to turn for help after the flooding on Thanksgiving Monday.
Tricia O’Neil’s home on St. Peters Road in Sydney has been declared uninhabitable, so she and her family are staying with friends.
Christina Lamey, a spokesperson with the mayor’s office, said water accounts can be suspended or cancelled.
Liam Gillis, a lawyer with Sampson McPhee, said homeowners can notify the Cape Breton Regional Municipality’s taxation department if their homes have been deemed uninhabitable.
“Sometimes they can have a reduction in their taxes for that uninhabitable space,” he said.
The limits of insurance coverage are an ongoing frustration for some who didn’t understand why they weren’t covered for flooding.
While coverage for sewer backup is “pretty common,” the experts said most people are likely not covered for overland water damage.
So, determining the cause of the flooding is key.
“If you disagree with an insurance adjuster’s assessment of the cause of damage, it’s important to have someone else in — perhaps a restoration expert that can provide a second opinion.” Gillis said.
What can you do while you wait for an adjuster?
Walter Dewey, whose home was damaged by an overflowing brook, said he has insurance but is still waiting for an adjuster to visit.
Dean suggested he keep a record of the damage.
Homeowners should try to access insurance money first. If the damage is not covered, the homeowner will need to provide evidence that the insurance company was not willing to cover damages before making a claim to the disaster fund.
What’s covered in the federal disaster fund?
Dean said you can’t get help through the federal government’s Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements program for something that would have been covered by insurance, had you bought it.
“If you could have purchased, let’s say, $10,000 worth of sewer backup coverage, that $10,000 is deducted from what you are able to get from DFAA,” she said.
What other financial assistance is available?
The United Way, its agencies and the Cape Breton Regional Municipality are meeting to discuss how short-term relief money will be distributed.
The province has contributed $500,000 and the United Way has raised more than $60,000.
Lamey said it’s vital for everyone with damage to call the municipal helpline at 902-562-4357 to be registered so officials can assess the total picture.
Mayor Cecil Clarke said the helpline has received 650 calls since it was created.
The Town of Orangeville handed out a total of three Environmental Sustainability Awards to different individuals and groups on Monday (May 2).
Receiving the 2011 awards from Coun. Sylvia Bradley, chair of the Orangeville Sustainability Action Team (OSAT), were Ann Fenton, Trish Bradley of the Highland Restoration DKI, and the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB), represented by school board chair Bob Borden, teacher Jill Fendley-Legge and child and youth counsellor D’arcy Litchti.
Fenton, who accepted the award for an individual, has been instrumental in a greening initiative at Montgomery Village Public School through a walk to school program. Working with the UGDSB, Orangeville police and Green Communities of Canada, Fenton has helped students understand it’s cool to walk to school.
The award for a business was given to Highland Restoration Disaster Kleenup, a company owned by Trish and Shane Bradley, which has reduced the amount of material heading to landfill by restoring 80 per cent of damaged household contents.
The company has introduced green technology to restore items from fire and flood, rather than replacement — even salvaging damaged clothing, leather goods and stuffed toys, among many other household items.
Last but not least, the UGDSB was recognized for its green bin program, which has it partnering with Dufferin County’s waste management division to pilot an organics bin program at Montgomery Village Public School. By the winter of 2011, all schools in Dufferin will participate in the program, where students and staff will divert food wastes from landfill by creating compost.
What is new at Highland Restoration DKI?
Hello to everyone! I am very happy to once again begin working on our website!
Please watch for updated photo’s and information as there has been many exciting and challenging changes to Highland, and our website gives me the opportunity to share our improvements to our service with you – our followers, our clients or potential clients.