Keep The Wreath Red: A Holiday Season Safety Reminder

Each December, you’ll see bright red wreaths hanging proudly at all three of our fire stations. They may look festive, but they carry an important message. Our goal is simple: keep every bulb on every wreath glowing red throughout the entire month.

If we respond to a fire in December that’s caused by holiday decorations, we replace one red bulb with a white one. Each white bulb serves as a reminder that holiday decoration fires are real, preventable, and can impact families in our own community.

We want this season to be joyful, peaceful, and safe for everyone. Here are a few important safety reminders to help prevent decoration-related fires in your home.

🎄 Keep Decorations Away From Heat Sources

Holiday trees, garlands, and other décor can ignite easily when placed too close to heat. Give your decorations space by:

• Keeping them at least three feet away from fireplaces, space heaters, radiators, candles, and stovetops.

• Making sure items like curtains, wrapping paper, and holiday greenery are not sitting against lamps or other warm surfaces.

  
  

A little extra distance goes a long way in keeping your home safe.

🔥 Inspect Electrical Decorations Before You Plug Them In

Holiday lights and electrical décor age over time. Before you decorate:

• Check every cord for cracks, exposed wires, or loose connections.

• Avoid running cords under rugs or doorways.

• Use only lights and electrical decorations that are in good condition and designed for holiday use.

• Replace any damaged strings—never repair them with tape or household fixes.

  
  

Safe wiring is one of the easiest ways to prevent a holiday fire.

🕯️ Candle Safety: Consider Going Flameless

Candles add warmth and charm to the season, but open flames also increase the risk of fire.

If you enjoy holiday candles:

• Keep them at least a foot away from anything that can burn.

• Never place candles near holiday greenery, curtains, or decorations.

• Blow them out whenever you leave the room or go to bed.

  
  

Better yet, switch to flameless candles—they look just as festive, without the risk.

🎁 Help Us Keep Every Bulb Red

Our wreaths are more than decorations—they’re a community-wide reminder to stay fire-safe during the holiday season. With your help, we hope to make it through December without having to replace a single bulb.

Practice these simple safety steps and encourage others to do the same. Together, we can keep all three wreaths shining bright and red—and keep our community safe.

Let’s Keep the Wreath Red this December.