‘Keep the Wreath Green’ Campaign Ends with 10 Red Bulbs

The 2020 "Keep the Wreath Green" fire safety campaign has come to an end with 10 red bulbs on the fire safety wreath, each representing a residential structure fire in Escambia County during the month of December.

The majority of homes impacted during the 2020 campaign had no fatalities or serious injuries, but most did not have working smoke alarms present. The leading causes of fires in Escambia County for this year's campaign were from candles, unattended cooking and electrical fires. There was also an increase in garage and shed fires during 2020. In previous years, the 2019 campaign ended with 13 red bulbs, the 2018 campaign ended with seven red bulbs, the 2017 campaign ended with 10 red bulbs, the 2016 campaign ended with 12 red bulbs and the 2015 campaign ended with nine red bulbs.

"I would like to thank the citizens for making fire safety a priority," said Paul Williams, Escambia County Interim Fire Chief. "This year's campaign ended with fewer red bulbs than the previous year likely due to residents being diligent about practicing fire safety, but we should not stop there. If we continue to work together, we can eliminate both the personal and property loss due to fire. Almost all of the homes impacted during this year's campaign did not have working smoke alarms. Please contact Escambia County Fire Rescue at 850-595-HERO (4376) or 850-436-5200 for city of Pensacola residents to schedule an appointment for smoke alarm installation."

The “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign is a collaborative initiative with the city of Pensacola to promote fire safety during the month of December. During the month-long campaign, five-foot wreaths were on display at 21 county fire stations and five city fire stations, as well as Escambia County's Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building downtown, the Escambia County Public Safety Building and Pensacola City Hall. Each time firefighters responded to a residential fire with damage, a green light bulb was replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by fires in residential home.

Escambia County Fire Rescue reminds residents to stay safe all year long by following these tips:

• Have a working smoke detector in every room of your home. If your home doesn't have a working smoke detector, please call Escambia County Fire Rescue at 850-595-HERO (4376) or 850-436-5200 for city of Pensacola residents.
• Close your bedroom door at night when you sleep. In case of fire, a closed door can isolate the fire’s flow, reduce room temperature and keep carbon monoxide levels down.
• Have an escape plan and know two ways out of every room in your home. 
• Never leave cooking food unattended. If you must leave the room, turn the stove off first. 
• Don’t overload extension cords or wall outlets. Check your electrical cords. If they are cracked or damaged, replace them. Don’t try to repair them.

For fire safety tips and other updates from Escambia County Fire Rescue, like Escambia County Fire Rescue on Facebook.