PUBLIC INFORMATION RELEASE:

November 26, 2023

MEDIA CONTACT:

Lieutenant Jim Roberts

850-391-6905

LTRoberts@mpvfd.org 

"Keep the Wreath Green" Fire Safety Campaign Kicks off DecEMBER. 1

The Mount Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department, in collaboration with fire departments across the country, will launch its annual “Keep the Wreath Green” Fire Safety campaign Friday, December 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 on the Department's Facebook (@MPVFD) page.

During the month-long campaign, a virtual wreath will be placed on the department's website and Facebook page. Each time firefighters respond to a residential fire with damage, a green ornament will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by fires in residential homes. In 2021, the department didn't respond to any fires and all ornaments remained green, in 2022, one ornament was changed to red.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in more than two of every five (44%) of home Christmas tree fires. Two of every five (39%) home Christmas tree fires started in the living room. One of every five (21%) decoration fires were started in the kitchen.

Almost three of every five (57%) December home decoration fires were started by candles, compared to the one of every three (32%) in January to November. 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.

For fire safety tips and other updates from the Mount Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department, like Mount Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department on Facebook.

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