COLUMBIA, MO. -- Members of the Columbia Fire Department want to remind you to be careful when using Christmas lights and other holiday decorations.

Columbia Fire Officials are holding their 10th annual program called Operation Red Wreath.

A wreath with red holiday lights sits in front of Columbia’s main fire station from December 1 through January 2.

If a holiday-related fire happens, one of the red bulbs is replaced with a white one.

White bulbs in past years represented thousands of dollars in damage due to holiday fires.

Columbia Fire Department Lt. Debbie Sorrell said, “A lot of times you see candles this time of year that people may put too close to combustible items or too close to a Christmas tree.  Heaters around a Christmas tree can dry out.  They need to be watered every day.”

Fire Officials want you to help them keep their wreath red by using extreme caution when cooking, burning candles and using your fireplace during the holiday season.