News Release

Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue Launches Annual "Keep the Wreath Green" Campaign

November 28, 2023

Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue is focusing on safety this holiday season through its annual “Keep the Wreath Green” campaign, which started on Thanksgiving Day and continues until January 2, 2024.

An eight-foot wreath illuminated with green bulbs is now on display at Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue Station 3, located at 543 William Hilton Parkway near First Presbyterian Church. This wreath serves as a powerful visual reminder for residents and visitors to exercise caution and follow essential safety protocols to prevent fires during the festive period. Every time a preventable fire incident occurs within the community, one of the green lights on the wreath will be replaced with a red light. This transformation highlights the significance of practicing fire safety measures diligently.

"Our Keep the Wreath Green campaign serves as a proactive reminder to the community about fire safety. By taking simple precautions, we can significantly reduce the risk of preventable fires and ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday season for everyone," said Fire Chief Chris Blankenship.

To ensure a fire-safe environment, Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue encourages the community to follow these essential safety tips:

• Always supervise cooking activities in the kitchen, especially during the holiday season.
• Water live Christmas trees regularly to prevent them from becoming a fire hazard.
• Exercise caution when decorating with Christmas lights and avoid overloading electrical circuits.
• Be mindful of materials burned in fireplaces or fire pits to prevent accidental fires.

The wreath, symbolizing the collective commitment to fire safety, will remain displayed at Fire Station #3 until January 2, 2024. Residents and visitors are encouraged to participate actively in upholding the green lights as a testament to the community's dedication to fire prevention and safety.

"We know the holidays are a time for family and fun, not fire," said Fire and Life Safety Educator Cinda Seamon. "Our hope is that during your celebrations you don’t put safety to the side. Our goal is to make sure every one of these bulbs stays green this season. We had four preventable fires last season that resulted in those bulbs turning red.  We hope to see that number decrease not only this year, but in years to come as well."

More information about holiday fire safety can be found on the National Fire Protection Association website at www.nfpa.org. For more information about Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue's Keep the Wreath Green campaign, follow Fire Rescue on Facebook or contact headquarters at 843-682-5100.