Safety Tips for the Holidays

You may have seen a wreath on the fire station in your community - a wreath beautifully lit with green bulbs for the holiday season. As the holiday season passes you may also notice some of the green bulbs replaced with red bulbs. So why the replacement of green bulbs with red ones?

Having first been introduced to this tradition by the City of Eau Claire Fire Department, I learned that every time there is a fire in a residence or business in the community during the holidays, a green bulb is replaced with a red bulb. The goal for every community in Wisconsin is to keep the holiday wreath "green." This tradition now continues in communities throughout Wisconsin. Let's keep our holiday wreaths green. Thanks to the Eau Claire Fire Department for these holiday season reminders:

• Use caution with holiday decorations and whenever possible, choose those made with flame-resistant, flame-retardant or non-combustible materials.
• Keep candles away from decorations and other combustible materials, and do not use candles to decorate Christmas trees.
• Purchase only lights and electrical decorations bearing the name of an independent testing lab, and follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation and maintenance.
• Carefully inspect new and previously used light strings and replace damaged items before plugging lights in. Do not overload extension cords.
• Always unplug lights before replacing light bulbs or fuses.
• Don't mount lights in any way that can damage the cord's wire insulation (i.e., using clips, not nails)
• Keep children and pets away from light strings and electrical decorations.
• Turn off all light strings and decorations before leaving the house or going to bed.
• Remember that unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires.
• Provide large, deep ashtrays when entertaining. Try to check them and empty as needed.
• Make sure at the end of the night to check the furniture for stray cigarette butts and to empty the ashtrays in a noncombustible container.
• If there are small children around, make sure the matches and lighters are out of sight and reach for small hands.

Last,

• Test your smoke detectors and
• Make sure your guests know your escape plan.

-- Henry Kosarzycki, AIA, Program Manager