Keep the Wreath Red

Practice Fire Safety for the Holidays to Keep the Wreath Red!
The Bungay Fire Brigade, Muddy Brook Fire Dept., and Woodstock Volunteers along with
the Woodstock Fire Marshal join forces to help keep Woodstock safe this holiday season.
It’s impossible to drive down any street this time of year without seeing holiday lights,
inflatable Santas, and wreaths adorning the houses and businesses of our community. As
you drive past the Woodstock Volunteer Fire Station #76 located at 399 Route 169, you will
see the white holiday lights outlining the front of the building and a wreath decorated with
red bulbs. This year, we are taking part in the “Keep the Wreath Red” campaign.
Where did this idea come from? The “Keep the Wreath Red” campaign was established in 1954 by an Illinois Firefighter,
Paul Boecker.
What does it mean to ‘Keep The Wreath Red? The campaign is a visual reminder for all of us to take safety precautions during the holiday
season and to make it a safe one for our families and loved ones. “Keep the Wreath Red” is
to alert residents of fires caused by holiday decorations, candle burning, and other
preventable fires during the holiday season and promote prevention through awareness.
All of the wreath bulbs are initially red; if a residential fire is directly caused by holiday
mishap between Thanksgiving and January 2, 2021, one red bulb will be changed to a white
one.
So… how do we keep the wreath red this year? When decorating your home pay attention to
the instructions on your decorations. Lights have specific overload limits that must be
adhered to, and are labeled to let you know how many strings you can safely string
together. Make sure extension cords are good quality, can take the amperage load of the
circuit, tagged with a UL listed label, are not placed in footpaths or areas where they could
become damaged and do not place under rugs or rug runners where they can create a fire
hazard.
Christmas trees account for more than 250 fires annually, resulting in deaths, injuries and
millions of dollars in property damage. Failures of various types of decorative electrical
lights and open flames from candles, lighters or matches start tree fires. Well-watered
trees are not a problem. Dry and neglected trees can be, so water your holiday tree daily
and keep it away from open flames and space heaters.
Remember, when lighting candles they need to be extinguished at the end of the festivities.
Check your candle holders to see that they can handle the heat and aren’t just for
decorative purposes. Position candles so children and pets cannot get near them.
Remember to change your smoke detector batteries if you haven’t already done so.
Properly working smoke detectors that provide us with early warning of a fire is critical in
saving lives. Practice with your family the various ways to exit your home and agree to a
designated family meeting place for everyone if you must escape a house fire.
The colder weather is now upon us and getting your chimney cleaned and inspected is a
good start in keeping your house safe from fire. Don’t forget to clean your wood or pellet
stove and vent pipe.
That wreath in the front of our firehouse represents the Woodstock Community and is a
testament to your safety and care, so “Let’s Keep The Wreath Red” this year!
All three fire departments in Woodstock and the Fire Marshal hope this effort creates a
visible symbol for residents to have a positive and proactive conversation around fire
safety and prevention.
-- Russ Downer, President
Woodstock Volunteer Fire Association