For every fire call during the month, one bulb will be changed from red to white. Thompson and his team sincerely hope that all area residents enjoy a safe and happy holiday and that all bulbs on the wreath will remain red throughout the entire season.
The gesture is part of an initiative called “Keep the Wreath Red” which aims to promote fire safety awareness during the holiday season. The program dates back to 1954, when Lieutenant Paul Boecker at the Naperville, Illinois Fire Department came up with the idea to hang a wreath of red lights in front of the station that would be big enough for people to see as they passed by. During the month of December, with every house fire call, the station would replace one red bulb with a white bulb. The ultimate goal would be to keep every bulb red.
“We’re adopting this program here in Kamsack because we want everyone to be mindful of fire safety during the holidays,” said Thompson during a phone interview with The Kamsack Times.
“One thing to keep in mind for those heading outdoors to deep-fry turkeys – make sure the turkey is completely thawed before lowering it into the oil. If it is still frozen, even a little in the centre, it could cause the fryer to foam and bubble over and could become very dangerous. Always have a fire extinguisher nearby – even for outdoor cooking.”
Thompson added, “Before people get into their holiday celebrations, it’s very important to check that all of the smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in the home are working. Here at the station, we want all Kamsack residents to enjoy a safe and happy holiday. Let’s work together to make that happen.”
The red wreath at the Kamsack Fire Department will remain lit 24 hours a day, seven days a week until January 1, 2022.
