The “Keep the Wreath Red” program is an annual event aimed at increasing the awareness of safety while decorating our homes for the holidays.
The program works in this way - hung on the front of each of the four fire stations in Arlington Heights is a wreath which is strung with red lights. The wreaths remain lit twenty-four hours a day during the holiday season. If a fire occurs that is determined to be the result of a holiday decoration, a white bulb replaces a red bulb on the wreath. The hope is the wreath will serve as a constant reminder to practice safety while displaying holiday decorations.
Some suggestions for holiday safety are:
- 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 candle wicks to one-quarter inch and extinguish all candles prior to the burning of the last half inch of wax.