PRESS RELEASE
Date Issued: Dec. 5, 2012
As we approach the holiday season, the Westmont Fire Department would like to remind residents to keep your holidays safe. The Westmont Fire Department, along with fire departments across the country, participates in the Keep the Wreath Red Program. The program is designed to focus awareness on safety while decorating our homes for the holiday season.
The Westmont Fire Department has placed a wreath on the front of each fire station. Each wreath is lit with a string of red lights. The wreaths remain lit 24 hours a day throughout the holiday season. Whenever a fire occurs that is a result of holiday decorations, a white bulb replaces a red bulb on the wreath. This serves as a constant reminder to practice safety while installing and displaying holiday decorations.
Some suggestions to help make this holiday season safer are:
* Cut 2-3 inches off the bottom of a fresh Christmas tree and place in water immediately, water trees on a daily basis.
* Place tree away from fireplaces, radiators, or other heat sources.
* Turn off all tree and display lights before going to bed or leaving the house.
* Read the packaging for all lights to ensure you are not overloading your electrical circuits.
* If extension cords are used, make sure they are free of cracked or split insulation, have appropriate grounding plugs in place.
* Do not use candles near combustible decorations and make sure to never leave burning candles unattended.
If you have any fire safety questions, please contact the Fire Department at 630-981-6400.
Contact: Larry McIntyre
Westmont Media Relations Coordinator
630-417-0280, lmcintyre@westmont.il.gov
