According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly half of house fires in December are caused by candles, and one-fifth are caused by cooking. The Laramie Fire Department (LFD) aims to keep the holidays free of fires and full of festivities in a campaign to “Keep the Wreath Red.” The annual campaign specifically promotes awareness of fire safety during the holiday season.

During the busy holiday season, homeowners often have festive candles burning, holiday foods cooking on the stove, and flammable decorations on display; all of which can pose a fire hazard when not properly managed. During the month of December, LFD will once again display a red-lit wreath outside Fire Station 1 on Ivinson Avenue. The wreath serves as a visual representation of the community’s commitment to safety as the red lights shine to remind residents to practice caution and prevent holiday-related fires.

“This year we are really focused on minimizing fires caused by unattended cooking and candles. Recently, we had a resident who was warming oil in a pan, and they stepped away to attend to their toddler. It was only supposed to take a quick minute, but we all know how quickly time can pass when you are taking care of your children. By the time they returned to the kitchen, their cabinets were on fire,” says LDF Shift Commander, Gus Stonum.  

According to LFD, most fires are preventable because they often result from common and avoidable mistakes. Whether it’s unattended cooking, improper use of fireplaces or space heaters, or leaving an open flame next to flammable items, fires can be prevented by being proactive about safety.

“Any time you need to step away from the stove to attend to something just turn off the burner and resume cooking when you can focus on it. It doesn’t take long for a fire to start, especially with cooking it can take only a few minutes. Always have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and in a spot that is convenient and easy to grab if a fire starts. Try to put the fire out as quickly as possible, but call 911 immediately if you’re in danger,” says Stonum.

In the unfortunate event a fire occurs during the holiday season, a red bulb on the wreath is replaced with a white one. This visual color change signals that a holiday-related fire has occurred, reminding everyone in the community to be vigilant, take precautions to prevent fires, and keep the wreath red. The wreath will remain illuminated 24 hours a day throughout the holiday season starting December 1st and lasting until January 1st.

#KeepTheWreathRed will be used to promote the campaign on social media platforms, encouraging individuals to share the message and spread awareness about holiday fire safety. The campaign not only aims to prevent fires but also fosters a sense of responsibility and community involvement in ensuring a safe and enjoyable holiday season. As community members, we can all do our part to keep the wreath red by never leaving cooking unattended, keeping open flames away from holiday decorations, and using all electronics, including lights, properly.