Four bulbs are red on the Fire Department's holiday wreath.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — It’s a sign that the holiday season is right around the corner.
Each year, certain Northeast Wisconsin fire departments hang wreaths outside their stations to promote fire safety during Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Green Bay Metro Fire Department’s campaign starts Thursday and will run through Jan. 1.
To start, the wreaths will be illuminated with all green lights. But for every residential fire that occurs in Green Bay during the 2025 holiday season, one of those green bulbs will be switched to a red bulb.
“On average, we see seven residential fires during this season, with careless cooking being the leading cause,” a news release from GBMFD states. “This initiative is not meant to celebrate residential fires, but rather to raise awareness about fire safety.”
Every time you see a wreath on a Green Bay Metro Fire Station, we hope it serves as a reminder for everyone to have a safe holiday season. Our mission is to keep these wreaths lit with ALL green lights this year.
Here are some safety tips to keep in mind this holiday season:
- Stay in the kitchen: Never leave cooking on the stovetop unattended.
- Use turkey fryers outdoors: Always use turkey fryers outside, away from wooden decks and garages.
- Keep decorations safe: Maintain a safe distance of at least three feet between holiday decorations (and any flammable items) and open flames or heat sources.
- Inspect holiday lights: Replace any strings of lights that have worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding the number of light strands to connect.
- Store matches and lighters safely: Keep matches and lighters in a high, locked cabinet and ensure children and pets are kept away from lit candles.
- Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors: These devices save lives. Ensure they are installed on every level of your home and outside each sleeping area. Check them monthly to confirm they are functioning properly and change the batteries annually.
If you need smoke alarms, call the GBMFD hotline at 1-920-448-3303 or request smoke alarms online.
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