The Christmas season is full of hustle and bustle as families buy gifts, prepare feasts and travel to see friends and family.
Unfortunately, it's also an extremely busy time of year for firefighters, who too often see families' homes and holidays go up in flames.
Each year, Escambia County Fire Rescue and the Pensacola Police Department collaborate on their month-long “Keep the Wreath Green” initiative, a fire safety campaign that aims to reduce the number of home fires by “promoting simple, life-saving holiday giving” during the month of December safety tips every day,” the district said.
“Keep the Wreath Green is a great initiative that literally brings to light the importance of fire safety,” said Fire Chief Adam Harrison. “I would encourage every resident and commercial property owner to do their part to keep our wreaths green this holiday season.”
From December 1st to 31st, residents can find a wreath full of green bulbs at 21 county fire stations and two city station stations. Every time a fire causes major damage to a home, a green light bulb is replaced with a red light bulb.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, electrical distribution or lighting equipment is involved in 44% of Christmas tree fires. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, cooking is the leading cause of winter home fires, killing over 900 people and causing over $2.1 billion in damages.
The December fires damaged nine homes, hospitalized one person and killed a pet
There have been nine major fires locally so far in December. No loss of life was reported, but there was significant damage to several homes as well as a pig dying in a fire.
The following fires resulted in red light bulbs being placed in firefighter wreaths in December:
- Lightbulb 1, December 2nd -Fire rescue units responded to a residential structure fire in the 7500 block of Pontiac Drive. Due to the extensive damage, the house was classified as a total loss. ECFR conducted the investigation and determined the fire was caused by improper chimney venting.
- Light bulb 2, Dec 3 – A fire destroyed a mobile home in the 5400 block of Wales Avenue. There were no injuries or fatalities, but the mobile home was a total loss.
- Light bulb 3, Dec 4th – A fire at a mobile home on Hill Drive in Brent Township caused significant damage to a fifth wheel trailer, causing it to be classified as a total loss. One inmate was transported to an area hospital.
- Light bulb 4, Dec 7th – An electrical fire caused damage to a home in the 10000 block of Bowman Avenue in Cantonment. During the initial search of the home, two dogs were rescued by ECFR firefighters, but a pot-bellied pig was found dead due to the fire.
- Light bulb 5, Dec 8th – A fire at a residence in the 3500 block of Mobile Highway displaced residents.
- Lightbulb 6, December 16th – A home in the 200 block of Airport Boulevard was damaged by a fire caused by an electrical problem in the laundry room. No one was hurt, but the family was displaced.
- Lightbulb 7, December 16th – A residential structure fire occurred in the 100 block of Eden Lane. ECFR firefighters rescued two dogs and immediately cared for them after they were removed. The home's residents have been evicted, but the home can be occupied again once extensive repairs have been made.
- Lightbulb 8, December 17th – A grease fire damaged the kitchen of a home in the 5500 block of Glass Drive. Although damage was limited, residents are temporarily displaced while repairs are made.
- Lightbulb 9, December 18th – A fire at a residential building in the 2600 block of W. Hernandez Street had its porch roof collapse as firefighters attempted to enter the building. There were no reported injuries and ECFR was able to enter through the home's windows. The house was unoccupied at the time of the fire. Due to the damage, the house was classified as a total loss.
5 tips to keep the wreath green
Here are five “Keep the Wreath Green” tips from ECFR and the Pensacola Fire Department:
- Before purchasing a live tree, check its freshness by pulling along a small branch. If the needles fall off in your hand, the tree is already too dry.
- Before purchasing an artificial tree, make sure the tree has a UL approval mark and that the tree is made of fire retardant materials.
- To keep a live tree fresh, cut 1 to 2 inches from the ground to expose fresh wood and place it in water. Make sure your tree stand can hold water. Check the water level daily and add water if necessary. Do not place trees near heat sources such as radiators, space heaters, or heating ducts.
- Handle candles carefully. Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets. Burn candles in a 30cm safety circle, free from anything that can ignite. Use sturdy candle holders that won't tip over. Never leave a burning candle unattended.
- Make sure all Christmas lights are UL marked and inspect them before use. If possible, use LED lights as they burn cooler. Check each group of lights for broken or crushed sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Discard any damaged lights.
For more tips on Keeping the Wreath Green, visit myescambia.com/news.