Arlington Heights Firefighters Hope to Keep Wreaths Red During Holidays

The Arlington Heights Fire Department is participating in the annual "Keep the Wreath Red" holiday safety program.

“Keep the Wreath Red” is aimed at increasing awareness of safety while decorating for the holidays.

The program works this way, each fire station in Arlington Heights displays a wreath strung with red lights and remains lit 24 hours a day during the holiday season. If a fire is determined to be caused by holiday decorations, white bulbs replace the red bulbs on the wreath.

The wreath hopefully serves as a constant reminder to practice safety while displaying holiday decorations.

Adopted by the Illinois Fire Chief’s Association in 1980, the campaign is aimed at reminding citizens of potential fire hazards that could exist inside homes, especially with all the extra lights and decorations displayed around the holidays.

Saftey suggestions include: 

• Artificial trees are safer than real trees.
• If purchasing a real tree, select one that is deep green in color and has a strong scent of pine.
• Keep extension cord use at a minimum.
• Use only lights that are approved by a national testing laboratory.
• Do not use indoor lights, outdoors.
• Do not overload electrical outlets or circuits.
• Do not leave candles unattended.
• Keep candles away from combustible materials.
• Trim all candlewicks to one-quarter inch and extinguish all candles prior to burning of the last half-inch of wax.

Information provided by the Village of Arlington Heights 

Sign up for the FREE Arlington Heights Patch Newsletter, "like" us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter! To post an announcement, click here - click here to post an event!