Allison Stice covers crime and courts for the Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette. She graduated from the University of Maryland and has lived in the Ivory Coast and France. | The Town of Hilton Head Island Fire & Rescue Division released Thursday that 21 preventable fires occurred over the holidays.
That number is an increase from 14 fires in 2011. The division tracked the number of preventable fires from Nov. 23 to Jan. 2 through its “Keep the Wreath Green” project, which changes light bulbs from green to white each time preventable fire broke out.
This holiday season, there were five dumpster or trash fires; three cases of arson; three brush fires; two electrical fires; two equipment or air conditioning system failures; two cooking fires; one fireplace equipment failure; one kiln fire; one caused by an ember from smoking material; and one car fire.
The division encourages residents to prevent fires throughout the year by keeping appliances up to date, tossing out torn cords and plugs, having fireplaces cleaned and testing smoke alarms monthly.
More tips are available here.