Fire Safety: Annual Keep The Wreath Green Campaign Begins

December 2, 2013

The annual “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign is now underway from Escambia Fire Rescue and the Pensacola Fire Department, and Santa Rosa County has started the “Keep Your Holidays Bright” campaign.

Officials hope to reduce the number of fires during a time of serious fire danger with simple, life saving tips for each day of the month. Click here to read the fire safety tips.

wreath.jpgEscambia County

This year, the ninth year of the campaign, five-foot wreaths will be on display at different locations throughout the holiday season, including Escambia County’s Ernie Lee Magaha Governmental Center building and fire stations across the county.

Every time firefighters respond to a residential fire in Escambia County, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by holiday decorations and other fire dangers.

There were six residential fires in Escambia County during the 2012 month-long campaign last December. None of those fires were in the North Escambia area.

Santa Rosa County

In the Santa Rosa “Keep Your Holidays Bright” campaign, a Christmas tree decorated with candles has been placed in the Santa Rosa County Administration Complex on Caroline Street.

Each time firefighters respond to a working residential fire or large wildfire causing fire damage, a candle will be “extinguished” and replaced with a card noting the basic details of the fire.

Last year, there were three residential fires in Santa Rosa County during December.

December Fire Dangers

According to the United States Fire Administration, 76 percent of fire injuries affecting civilians occurred in our homes. Fires occurring during the holiday season claim the lives of over 945 people, injure 3,825 and cause over $1.7 billion in damage. Nationally, cooking is the leading cause of residential building fires in December, accounting for 41 percent of fires, followed by heating fires at 28 percent, open flame fires at nine percent and incendiary/suspicious fires seven percent.

Pictured inset: A Keep the Wreath Green display at the Mcdavid Stations of Escambia Fire Rescue. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News