Results of Mankato’s 2025 “Keep the Wreath Bright” holiday campaign
Mankato’s “Keep the Wreath Bright, Prevent a Red Light” annual public safety campaign ended with four red bulbs and no blue bulbs on the wreath.
Breakdown of Incidents:
- Red Bulb: Fire caused by drilling with a dry bit (heat transfer)
- Red Bulb: Cutting wood sparked a fire
- Red Bulb: Improper disposal of lithium-ion battery
- Red Bulb: Small deck fire caused by improper disposal of cigarettes
Ways to prevent these fires are:
- Always dispose of cigarettes in a metal bucket filled with water or sand.
- Never throw away lithium – ion batteries. Recycle them at approved recycling locations.
- Those locations can be found at www.call2recycle.org
To reduce the risk of fire, we encourage following the safety measures.
- Maintain at least three feet of clearance around heat sources such as stove top burners.
- Allow items to cool before placing them in laundry bins to prevent spontaneous combustion.
- Ensure appliances are cleaned and maintained regularly to avoid grease buildup.
- Stay present while cooking and follow recommended procedures for extinguishing a grease fire to prevent injury.
“Keep the Wreath Bright” is designed to help remind people about fire safety during the holiday season. Red bulbs represent fires and blue bulbs represent fire‐related injuries. The goal is to keep the wreath lit with clear bulbs. Each holiday season the wreath is displayed at the Public Safety Center located at 710 S. Front St.
