Green Bay Metro Fire Department says it ended its 2024 Holiday Wreath Program with 11 red bulbs. (Photo courtesy of Green Bay Metro Fire Department)
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The Green Bay Metro Fire Department ended its holiday wreath program with 11 red bulbs.
The program, which started Nov. 28 and ran through New Year’s Day, encourages fire safety practices during the busy holiday season. The wreath starts the campaign with green bulbs. For every fire, a red bulb is added.
During the campaign, firefighters responded to 11 residential fires in the city. Of these incidents, seven were cooking-related fires.
Firefighters are encouraging the following best practices:
- Make sure you have working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors within the home.
- Plan and practice an escape plan with everyone in the home, including children and pets.
- Keep matches and lighters stored out of reach of children and use child safety locks on cabinets.
- Maintain a distance of at least 3 feet between space heaters and anything that could catch fire, and always turn them off when you leave the room or go to bed.
Cooking appliances, most commonly a stove or range, are the leading cause of home fires in the United States. Almost all cooking fires can be prevented by following these simple safety measures:
- Stay in the kitchen while cooking.
- Use a timer to help remind you that you are cooking.
- Keep flammable items away from the cook top and don’t use the oven as a storage space.
- If you have a small (grease) cooking fire on the stovetop, smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turn off the burner. When in doubt, get out and call 911.
Last season, the department had seven red bulbs.
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