New CRFD campaign reminds community of fire prevention over the holidays

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The Cedar Rapids Fire Department is launching a "Keep the Wreath Red" campaign, to remind the community about fire prevention over the holidays.

Firefighters are putting a wreath display on the front doors of the Central Fire Station at 713 1st Avenue SE. The display will have red bulbs on it and will be replaced with white bulbs if a residential fire occurs during the holiday season. The ultimate goal is to keep the wreath light with all red bulbs through New Year's Day.

Over 30,000 cars pass by the fire station each day. The wreath display is a visual reminder that the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day can be a dangerous time for fires in the home.

During this time, there are a higher number of cooking fires, candle fires, short circuits in holiday lights, and combustible holiday decoration. More people are also using their fire places as temperatures get colder.

Firefighter Jason Aarhus launched the idea. Here is what he has said about it:

Thousands of people pass Central Fire Station each day and many of them will glance over to look at the wreath and will notice if any of the red bulbs have changed to white. That action, even if just a fraction of a second, may subconsciously prompt a reminder to citizens of our holiday fire safety message. It also is a reminder that fires are always possible during the holidays, and the Cedar Rapids Fire Department will be there when needed.

Updates to the “Keep the Wreath Red” campaign will be posted on the CRFD Facebook page.

In addition, the CRFD wants to make sure people checking their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms to make sure they are working properly.