Fire Safety Campaign Asks You To Help 'Keep The Wreath Red'

ROMEOVILLE, IL — The Romeoville Fire Department is participating in a holiday-themed fire safety campaign called "Keep the Wreath Red." Since 1995, the department has decorated a wreath with red lights at each fire station to raise awareness of the fire risks holiday lights and decorations can pose, officials said. Every time a holiday decoration starts a fire somewhere in the village, one of the red lights will be replaced with a white one as a reminder of the dangers posed by fires around the holidays.

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"During this holiday season, the Romeoville Fire Department asks you to help us keep the wreath red," said Fire Chief Kent Adams in a video posted to Twitter.

Officials say candles are the most common, but far from the only source, of holiday fires, so remember to blow them out before going to bed. With so many holiday decorations plugged into a home's outlets, officials said electrical safety is also a concern. Make sure your lights were tested by a laboratory for safety, replace lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulbs, and always read the instructions to see the maximum number of lights you can connect safely.

Here are some other fire-safety tips from the Romeoville Fire Department:

• Unplug holiday lights before going to bed
• Extinguish candles before leaving home and going to bed
• Keep tree and holiday decorations away from heat sources, such as: fireplaces, space heaters, candles and heating ducts
• When using a fireplace:
• Make sure there is a fire screen in place
• Don’t close the damper until the fire is completely out
• Only burn seasoned firewood
• Test smoke detectors and inform guests of your fire escape plan
• Keep children and pets away from lit candles
• Avoid overloading circuits and extension cords

Find more fire-safety information here.

Image via Romeoville Fire Department