Fire Prevention the Focus of Holiday Season Program 

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Little Rock Fire Department wants to “Keep the Wreath Green” with a focus on fire prevention from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day.

The program, which aims to increase public awareness about fire safety over the holidays, includes several wreaths going on display at City Hall and Little Rock fire stations. The wreaths are lit with green bulbs, but each time there is a residential fire in the City in which the home becomes uninhabitable, a green bulb will be replaced with a red bulb.

“Fire prevention and fire safety are two of our top priorities,” Fire Chief Gregory Summers said. “It’s important that residents know how to keep their homes safe in the winter."

Residents can see the wreaths in person and follow the program on the Little Rock Fire Department’s Twitter (@littlerockfire) and Facebook (facebook.com/littlerockfire). 

Home fires during the holiday season often involve cooking, Christmas trees, candles and decorations. According to the National Fire Protection Association, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 860 home structure fires per year that began with decorations, excluding Christmas trees, in 2009-2013. These fires caused an annual average of one civilian fire death, 41 civilian fire injuries and $13.4 million in direct property damage.

Unattended cooking is the leading cause of U.S. home fires and home fire injuries, with most cooking fires involving the stovetop. In 2014, Thanksgiving was the leading date for home structure fires caused by cooking, followed by Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.

For information on fire safety programs, contact Fire Prevention at 501-918-3710.

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