Dec. 1 marked the start of the Cape Coral Fire Department\u2019s annual \u201cKeep the Wreath Green\u201d initiative, where firefighters have placed a wreath illuminated with green bulbs at Fire Station 4 on Santa Barbara Boulevard. For the 13th consecutive year, each time a preventable fire occurs, such as cooking, smoking, holiday decorations, or candles, one of the green bulbs will change to red.<\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of CCFD<\/p>\n
An annual safety campaign put on by local first responders is underwway, reminding residents to take precautions this holiday season when it comes to fire safety.<\/p>\n
Dec. 1 marked the start of the Cape Coral Fire Department\u2019s annual \u201cKeep the Wreath Green\u201d initiative, where firefighters have placed a wreath illuminated with green bulbs at Fire Station 4 on Santa Barbara Boulevard. For the 13th consecutive year, each time a preventable fire occurs, such as cooking, smoking, holiday decorations, or candles, one of the green bulbs will change to red.<\/p>\n
The campaign runs until Jan. 1, with CCFD putting safety at the forefront of the festive season, serving as a reminder to practice fire safety year-round.<\/p>\n
With the hectic holiday season, CCFD officials said it can be easy for families to become complacent about fire safety.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs everyone gets busier during the holidays, we often become rushed, distracted or tired,\u201d said Fire Chief Mike Russell in a prepared statement. \u201cThat\u2019s when home fires are more likely to occur.\u201d<\/p>\n
With the additional use of decorative lighting, live Christmas trees, increased cooking activities, and the burning of candles, the risk of fire in homes increases, according to officials.<\/p>\n
Fortunately, with a little added awareness and some minor adjustments to holiday cooking and decorating, the season can remain festive and safe for everybody.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe holidays can quickly turn from joyful to tragic when a fire occurs,\u201d saidCCFD spokesperson Andrea Schuch. \u201cBy taking simple precautions, Cape Coral residents and visitors can stay safe, have holidays that are healthy and happy, and avoid potential fire hazards to \u2018Keep the Wreath Green.’\u201d<\/p>\n
CCFD officials provided some tips for residents to stay safe over the holiday season:<\/p>\n
Decorations<\/p>\n
\u2022 Choose holiday decorations carefully, using those only made of flame-resistant, flame-retardant, or non-combustible materials.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Keep decorations away from heat sources. Of the fires that began with decorations, nearly half occurred due to the decoration\u2019s proximity to a heat source.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Keep decorations away from windows and doors that might be needed as a means of escape.<\/p>\n
Candles<\/p>\n
\u2022 Keep candles at least 12 inches away from decorations or other combustible materials. Two of every five home decoration fires are started by candles.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Never leave candles unattended. Extinguish them when you leave the room.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Use sturdy candle holders that won\u2019t tip over.<\/p>\n
Lights<\/p>\n
\u2022 Use only lights listed by an independent testing laboratory and pay close attention to the manufacturer\u2019s instructions for use.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Closely inspect all holiday lighting before use to ensure all wires, bulbs and connections are in a safe condition. Discard any lights with exposed wires, broken insulation, cracked or missing bulbs, or other defects.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not become damaged.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Turn off all light strings and decorations before leaving home or going to bed.<\/p>\n
Christmas trees<\/p>\n
\u2022 Before purchasing an artificial tree, be sure it is identified by the manufacturer as fire-retardant.<\/p>\n
\u2022 When choosing a live Christmas tree, look for signs of freshness by lightly pulling branches through your closed fist. Fresh trees should retain their needles during this test.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Have the tree lot operator provide a \u201cfresh cut\u201d by removing 1 to 2 inches from the base of the trunk.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Immediately place the tree in water and add water daily. Keep a close check on the dryness of the tree and remove the tree when needles easily fall off.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit and is at least three feet away from any heat source like fireplaces, space heaters, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights.<\/p>\n
Cooking<\/p>\n
\u2022 Unattended cooking is the leading cause of U.S. home fires and home fire injuries. After Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and Christmas Eve are the peak days for home cooking fires.<\/p>\n
\u2022 When frying, grilling, or broiling, stay in the kitchen. Keep anything that can catch fire away from the stovetop and turn off the stove when you leave the kitchen, even if it\u2019s for a short period of time.<\/p>\n
\u2022 When simmering, boiling, baking, or roasting food, stay in the home and check on it frequently; use a timer as a reminder if necessary.<\/p>\n
Create a \u201ckid-free zone\u201d of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food and drinks are prepared or carried.<\/p>\n
Smoking<\/p>\n
\u2022 Ask smokers to smoke outside.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Use large, deep ashtrays and wet cigarette butts with water before discarding.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Keep matches and lighters up high, away from children.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Ensure there is a working smoke alarm on each level of your home and practice fire escape plans with all family members and holiday guests.<\/p>\n