'Keep The Wreath Red' By Preventing Holiday Fires: Tinley Park FD

TINLEY PARK, IL — The Tinley Park Fire Department urges community members to be safe this holiday season in an effort to help “Keep the Wreath Red” until Jan. 2. According to the Village of Tinley Park, the fire department has placed a wreath illuminated with red bulbs in front several fire stations, and if a fire involving decorations breaks out between now and Jan. 2, one of the red bulbs will be changed to a white bulb as a reminder of the safety precautions that should be taken during the holidays.

The following fire stations are participating:

• Fire Station No. 46 at 17355 S. 68th Court
• Fire Station No. 47 at 7825 W. 167th Street
• Fire Station No. 48 at 9191 W. 175th Street
• Fire Station No. 49 at 7801 W. 191st Street

Help “Keep the Wreath Red” and eliminate unwanted fires through a fire-safe environment and by following these Winter Safety Tips:

• Plug only one heat-producing appliance (such as a space heater) into an electrical outlet at a time.
• Keep portable generators outside, away from windows, and as far away as possible from your home.
• Install and test carbon monoxide alarms at least once a month.
• Have a qualified professional clean and inspect your chimney and vents every year. Store cooled ashes in a tightly covered metal container, and keep it outside at least 10 feet from your home and any nearby buildings.
• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet from any heat source like fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, or space heaters.
• Heating equipment is involved in one in every seven reported home fires and one in every five home fire deaths.
• Home fires occur more in winter than in any other season. As you stay cozy and warm this winter season, be fire smart. Half of all home heating fires occur in the months of December, January and February.

Image via Patch file photo