The Menomonee Falls Fire Department's "Keeping the Wreath Green" campaign will start December 1 and go through December 31. Throughout the month of December, there will be daily website posts of holiday fire safety tips as well as the light count.
The winter season brings about many changes in your home. The heating system starts and you prepare for the holidays by decorating and cooking your favorite holiday dinners. The winter and holiday season is also the fire season. More than one-third of home fires occur during the months of December, January, and February. Most fires and injuries are preventable by taking precautions that can make the difference between a safe and happy holiday or a holiday tragedy.
The idea behind this campaign is to promote fire safety throughout the holidays and to give you helpful tips. We have placed a Christmas wreath with green lights on it outside of our fire stations. Any time there is a fire incident in the Village of Menomonee Falls, we will replace a green light with a red one. The obvious goal is to have all green lights remaining at the end.
There are several ways to practice fire safety during the holidays such as watching candle usage, keeping open flames away from combustible materials (wood and paper); and limiting the use of extension cords (try not to overload electrical outlets and use power strips with surge protection in place of extension cords). Also, if you have a real Christmas tree, keep it watered so that it does not become too dry.
Have a safe and happy holiday season!