PEORIA, Ill. – Peoria Firefighters are hoping they can keep fire calls to an absolute minimum — if not none at all — during the month of December.
Each of Peoria’s twelve fire stations has a wreath outside it lit in red, and the hope to “Keep the Wreath Red.”
“For every residential or commercial structure fire with a dollar loss, one red bulb will be replaced with a white light bulb,” said Nate Rice, Peoria Fire Department Fire Prevention Chief. “Our hope is that we never have to replace one bulb in these wreaths.”
There are a lot of things during the holiday season that could pose a fire risk in a home or business.
“Properly use extension cords and ensure they are not overloaded, and properly rated for their use,” said Rice. “Ensure decorative lights are in good condition, and unplug them when leaving your home or sleeping at night. Be sure to water any natural Christmas trees that you have in your house. Keep candles and open flames at a safe distance from natural trees.”
Speaking of using extension cords and other related items, if you’ve seen a social media post lately showing a burned and melted outlet strip, and it says the problem was due to a space heater being plugged in to it, it’s probably true.
“If those electrical cords get overloaded or if they short out, that sends the electrical current that’s overloading that outlet, and it will short out that outlet and burn it up,” said Rice.
Rice says as with all things you use related to Christmas, it’s important to use a properly rated extension cord if needed. Most space heaters these days, he says, have an automatic shut-off mechanism if they’re tipped over.
Before you start a fire in your home to roast those chestnuts this holiday season, make sure you can do so safely.
“A chimney fire typically comes from a buildup of what’s called creosote inside the flue or the chimney going up out of your roof,” said Rice. “When that builds up, what happens is that catches fire, and then it spreads to parts of your house, typically your attic and that type of thing.”
Rice says you should only use seasoned wood in your fireplace if you have one. And as tempting as it may be, he says don’t throw wrapping paper into the fire on Christmas Day, as that will develop more creosote.
Fire officials also, as with Thanksgiving, urge keeping an eye on cooking at all times.
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