GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) — The Green Bay Metro Fire Department has concluded the Holiday Wreath Program with a total of seven residential fires from November 26, 2023-January 1, 2024.
For every fire during the season, a red bulb was added to wreaths at fire stations within the Green Bay Metro Fire Department. The goal of the campaign is to encourage fire safety.
This year saw almost double the amount of fires compared to last year.
“Last year we had four residential fires. But a couple years back during COVID-19, it was in the teens which was pretty high,” said Lt. Shauna Walesh with the Green Bay Metro Fire Department. “We do see this number fluctuate, but we want to see it decrease.”
The total number of estimated dollar loss for the seven residential fires is $184,500.00
Over the course of the campaign, there was one civilian injury and one firefighter injury reported. These are from separate incidents.
Although there were zero civilian deaths, there was one incident in which two dogs perished.
The fire department says adding fire safety to New Year’s resolutions is something anyone can do; and provided some helpful tips to get started.
- Make sure you have working Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide detectors within the home.
- Plan and practice an escape plan with everyone in the home, including children and pets.
- Keep matches and lighters up high, out of reach of children. Use child safety locks on cabinets.
- Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn and turn them off when you leave the room or go to bed.
- Cooking appliances, most commonly a stove or range, are the leading cause of home fires in the United States. Not surprisingly, they also rank number 1 for
fire related injuries in the home. Almost all cooking fires can be prevented by following these simple safety measures:- Stay in the kitchen while cooking.
- Use a timer to help remind you that you are cooking.
- If you have a small (grease) cooking fire on the stovetop, smother the
flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turn off the burner. When in doubt, get out and call 9-1-1.
