DeKalb County firefighters share safety tips for holiday lights

The DeKalb and Sycamore fire departments recently announced the 2024 Red Wreath Program, which encourages safe practices for holiday lights for area residents at home.

The campaign uses visual reminders by hanging a red bulb-lit wreaths outside the fire station.

If an emergency fire incident related to the holiday season occurs, firefighters will replace a red bulb with a white bulb. The community’s goal is to keep all the wreaths red. The display will continue through Jan. 1.

The leading causes of holiday fires include candles, cooking, combustible holiday decorations, and electrical short circuits in decorative lighting. Chimney fires and heating appliances such as space heaters also pose a risk.

The fire departments has displayed lighted wreaths as a visual reminder of home fire safety during the holiday season since 1986.

For information, call 815-748-8460.