The Pensacola Fire Department, in collaboration with Escambia County Fire Rescue, will launch its annual “Keep the Wreath Green” Fire Safety campaign Thursday, Dec. 1. While a joyous time of year, cold weather, holiday decorations and festivities can create serious fire dangers. Firefighters hope to reduce the number of fires by promoting simple, life-saving holiday safety tips each day in December.
During the month-long campaign, 5-foot wreaths will be on display at five city fire stations and 21 county fire stations. Wreaths will also be placed outside Escambia County’s Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building downtown, the Escambia County Public Safety Building and Pensacola City Hall. Each time firefighters respond to a residential fire with damage in the City of Pensacola, a green bulb we be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by fires in residential homes. In Escambia County, a red bulb will be placed on the wreath for residential and commercial structure fires.
For the first time since the campaign began, the City of Pensacola ended the 2021 “Keep the Wreath Green” Fire Safety Campaign with zero red bulbs. Although there were some commercial and residential structure fires in city limits during the month of December, none of the residential fires displaced occupants or caused significant damage, thanks to rapid response from the Pensacola Fire Department.
In 2020, three bulbs were changed to red on city wreaths, in 2019, one bulb was changed to red on city wreaths, and in 2018, two bulbs were changed to red on city wreaths.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in almost half (45%) of home Christmas tree fires. Two of every five (42%) home Christmas tree fires started in the living room. One of every five (22%) decoration fires were due to some type of heat source, such as a candle or space heater, too close to the tree. The top three days for home candle fires are Christmas, New Year’s Day and New Year’s Eve.
According to the United States Fire Administration, fires occurring during the winter claim the lives of over 900 people and cause over $2.1 billion in damage. Nationally, cooking is the leading cause of home winter fires, with 5-8 p.m. being the most common time for a fire to occur. A working smoke alarm cuts the chances of dying in a reported fire in half. Additionally, practice space heater safety and know the potential risks associated with home heating equipment.
City of Pensacola residents are encouraged to call the Pensacola Fire Department at 850-436-5200 for smoke alarm assistance. County residents may call Escambia County Fire Rescue at 850-595-HERO (4376).
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