Fire Safety Starts at Home
TFD Data Show Impact of Residential Fires
January 07, 2021
This winter holiday season, the Tallahassee Fire Department (TFD) saw an increase in calls for service and is urging residents to remain diligent in their fire safety practices. To further drive the message of safety home, TFD implemented its Keep the Wreath Green program from Dec. 1, 2020, through Jan. 4.
During the program, TFD replaced one green bulb with a red one on its display wreath at Dorothy B. Oven Park every time a residential fire occurred. This served as a visual reminder for the community about the importance of home fire safety. In total, 19 bulbs were replaced, representing fires that resulted in $402,600 damage collectively. Thankfully, no lives were lost to a home fire during this year’s Keep the Wreath Green program.
“The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year for home fires,” Tallahassee Fire Chief Jerome Gaines said. “It is vitally important that residents be alert to fire dangers. TFD is committed to providing for the safety our community through prevention, preparation and protection.”
As part of its education efforts, TFD implemented a robust home fire safety campaign this fall. This included a focus on kitchen fire safety as part of National Fire Prevention Week in October, holiday cooking safety in November and holiday display and cold weather safety in December. These efforts will continue, and groups interested in having TFD present virtually at one of their meetings are encouraged to call 850-891-6600.
Below are the program statistics since 2010 when the Keep the Wreath Green program first launched:
- 2010 changed 41 red bulbs
- 2011 changed 38 red bulbs
- 2012 changed 22 red bulbs
- 2013 changed 16 red bulbs
- 2014 changed 15 red bulbs
- 2015 changed 14 red bulbs – $1.3 million in residential damage
- 2016 changed 11 red bulbs – $480,000 in residential damage
- 2017 changed 15 red bulbs – $887,500 in residential damage
- 2018 changed 9 red bulbs – $308,000 in residential damages
- 2019 changed 8 red bulbs – $467,000 in residential damages
- 2020 changed 19 red bulbs – $402,600 in residential damages
Learn more and get fire safety tips at Talgov.com/Fire.
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