Hanover Park Fire Department’s Keep the Wreath Red Program

I wanted to pass along this press release from the Village:
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Hanover Park Fire Department’s Keep the Wreath Red Program

As we approach the holiday season, the Hanover Park Fire Department would like to remind you to keep your holiday safe and happy. "Keep the Wreath Red" is a holiday fire safety program designed to increase fire safety awareness. In the event of a holiday-related fire, firefighters will replace one of the red bulbs with a white one. The goal is to keep the bulbs on that wreath red. While fire safety should be practiced every day of the year, this program is a constant reminder for citizens to use proper care when putting together their holiday displays, including lights, electrical cords, candles, Christmas trees and other decorations.
Fire safety reminders for safe holiday season include:
• Check all your illuminated decorations to make sure they are in good condition. Light strands that have frayed or cracked wires should be thrown away and replaced with UL approved devices. Outside cords should be approved for exterior uses and inside cords should not be placed under carpets or throw rugs.

• Keep live Christmas trees watered frequently. Be aware of your tree's life and when it becomes brittle, discontinue using the lights. Always turn off the lights when leaving your home.
• Use extreme caution with holiday candles and all other open flames to assure they are safe and will not set fire to nearby objects.
• Make sure your fireplace is in good working order and the chimney is free from obstructions and creosote build-up. Christmas wrappings and tree branches are not to be burned in the fireplace. Their intense and rapid burning can cause chimney fires and flames to extend out of the firebox into your home.
• As always, check your smoke detectors and make sure they are in good working order. If you did not change the batteries when you changed your clocks in October, change them now.