APPLETON, WI- (WISS & WGBW) – The Appleton Fire Department’s Keep the Wreath Green program, which started in November and runs through New Year’s Day, promotes fire safety during the holiday season. Its goal is to minimize residential and commercial fires.

“The holiday season brings increased fire risk for many reasons,” said Alex Quintana, Public Information Officer for the Appleton Fire Department. “We have decorative lighting, and with that comes potentially overloading outlets. There may be some holiday decorations that you’ve had for quite a few years or maybe even quite a few generations. So upkeep on those, looking out for frayed wiring.”

Each Appleton fire station displays wreaths with green bulbs. If a fire occurs in the city, a green bulb will be replaced with a red one. Whenever a bulb changes, the fire department will update its social media. Holiday Fire safety tips will also be shared regularly.

The holiday season is particularly active for fire departments due to added decorative lighting, candle usage, holiday trees and decorations, increased cooking, and extra family guests. These factors elevate the risk of fires, making vigilance especially important.

“Cooking fires are always our number one cause for residential structure fires. All year round, it’s a big deal, but particularly during the holidays. You have an increased amount of cooking. Perhaps you’re using multiple appliances at once,” Quintana said. “You might be a lot more distracted than normal with extra members, family or friends, in your household.”

Quintana said the holiday brings one tradition that is the biggest fire risk: the fresh-cut tree.

“Make sure that you water your tree every day. That is extremely important,” Quintana said. “Dry trees will go up very, very quickly and very easily.

“Obviously, if you get a fake tree or the plastic holiday trees, you may not have those concerns. But, regardless of whether it is a natural-cut tree or a synthetic tree, the fire hazard is still there. It’s just with a natural-cut tree you do want to keep it watered to reduce that fire hazard.”

One red bulb has already been lit this year as a fire from a kitchen stove damaged a house on Appleton’s north side the day before Thanksgiving. Now, the department aims to tie the 2011 record of just one red bulb and encourages citizens to practice fire safety to keep the wreaths green throughout the season.

“All that I ask is for community members to be just a little bit more mindful around the holidays, especially when you’re cooking and with your decorations,” Quintana added.

Stay safe this holiday season by following updates and tips on the Appleton Fire Department’s social media channels.

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