The holiday season can bring with it an increased risk of fire. The Branson Fire Department along with a number of other agencies throughout the country is bringing awareness to the issue through Operation Red Wreath.
The department has placed a wreath outside two of its fire houses. Each is composed of 31 red lights representing the month of December. The goal is to keep all of the lights red, indicating no household fires for the month. For any holiday related fire, a red bulb will be replaced with a white one.
Branson Fire chief Ted Martin explains that the ultimate goal is to keep people aware.
“We’ve adopted in in Branson just as a visual reminder to our residents and visitors to think fire safety during the Christmas Holiday season,” Martin said.
He adds that caution is needed when dealing with certain warming methods over the winter months.
“Nothing goes in the fire place except fire wood no paper no trash and the final phrase is to give space heaters space at least three feet away from combustible materials and again don’t leave those unattended”
Holiday lights, cooking and candles can all contribute to fires, as well as overused outlets. Martin encourages families to develop and practice a home fire escape plan, know two ways out of the house and designate a common meeting place outside.
The National Fire Protection Agency’s website has more information and tips about fire safety during the holidays.