Southern Stone County Fire Protection District Urges Community
to "Keep the Wreath Red" This Holiday Season
Kadee DeCourley Brosseau
A red wreath is hanging on the front of the Southern Stone County Fire Protection District’s main station in Branson West. The fire chief said the goal is to “keep it red” during the holiday season.
“With the red wreath on our main station, we want to ‘keep the wreath red.’ So, for the holiday season, every time we have a building fire, we replace a red light with a white light,” Chief Keith Wolven said. “The concept is, we want the public to help us keep the wreath red. If it goes white, we have problems, we’ve had too many fires. If we keep it all red, that means we have not had any major structure fires or building fires, we are doing a good job. It is an awareness campaign and a community risk reduction program to make the public aware that it’s a really good time to be extra fire safe.”
Chief Wolven said the fire district has been doing the “keep the wreath red” campaign for a few years during the month of December in an effort to curb the trend that is typically seen during the holiday season.
“Generally, during the holiday season, we do have increased risks with fire throughout the community, really throughout the country. There are a lot of holiday gatherings, people getting together and cooking meals in increased numbers. It always increases the risk of fires,” Chief Wolven said.
During the holidays people are usually inside for meals, due to colder temperatures, which can also lead to an increased risk for fires.
“Don’t deep fry your turkeys on the wooden back deck underneath the eaves of the house because it could flare up on you. Don’t deep fry your frozen turkey, thaw it first. Don’t leave your oven on. If you have to run to the store to get more stuff, turn your oven off. Be aware of grease fires,” Chief Wolven said.
Homeowners with chimneys should make sure they are cleaned regularly and that the protective screens are in place. Colder temperatures also sometimes call for additional heating sources, something that people should use with caution.
“Your auxiliary heating sources, like space heaters, be aware of the manufacturer’s restrictions on those. Keep those away from flammable curtains or couches. Keep flammable items away from them,” Chief Wolven said. “Make sure they’ll shut off if they get too hot or if they get knocked over and make sure there is nothing flammable around them. Any kind of fossil fuel thing, like kerosene heaters, make sure it’s well ventilated. Don’t use those inside or even in an enclosed garage without some sort of ventilation because of the carbon monoxide that can go off of any kind of open flame.”
Chief Wolven said one of the main ways people can protect themselves and their families from house fires is to ensure that there are working smoke alarms throughout the home, all year round.
“Check your smoke detectors, make sure they work. Make sure you have an escape plan,” Chief Wolven said.
Chief Wolven said in 2020, the department did have to change a few red bulbs to white. However, the hope is to remain red throughout all of the 2021 season.
“If everybody pays attention, we won’t have to [change any bulbs to white],” Chief Wolven said. “It’s just there for a month or so during the holiday season to just remind everyone to be fire safe.
A red wreath is hanging on the front of the Southern Stone County Fire Protection District’s main station in Branson West. The fire chief said the goal is to “keep it red” during the holiday season.
“With the red wreath on our main station, we want to ‘keep the wreath red.’ So, for the holiday season, every time we have a building fire, we replace a red light with a white light,” Chief Keith Wolven said. “The concept is, we want the public to help us keep the wreath red. If it goes white, we have problems, we’ve had too many fires. If we keep it all red, that means we have not had any major structure fires or building fires, we are doing a good job. It is an awareness campaign and a community risk reduction program to make the public aware that it’s a really good time to be extra fire safe.”
Chief Wolven said the fire district has been doing the “keep the wreath red” campaign for a few years during the month of December in an effort to curb the trend that is typically seen during the holiday season.
“Generally, during the holiday season, we do have increased risks with fire throughout the community, really throughout the country. There are a lot of holiday gatherings, people getting together and cooking meals in increased numbers. It always increases the risk of fires,” Chief Wolven said.
During the holidays people are usually inside for meals, due to colder temperatures, which can also lead to an increased risk for fires.
“Don’t deep fry your turkeys on the wooden back deck underneath the eaves of the house because it could flare up on you. Don’t deep fry your frozen turkey, thaw it first. Don’t leave your oven on. If you have to run to the store to get more stuff, turn your oven off. Be aware of grease fires,” Chief Wolven said.
Homeowners with chimneys should make sure they are cleaned regularly and that the protective screens are in place. Colder temperatures also sometimes call for additional heating sources, something that people should use with caution.
“Your auxiliary heating sources, like space heaters, be aware of the manufacturer’s restrictions on those. Keep those away from flammable curtains or couches. Keep flammable items away from them,” Chief Wolven said. “Make sure they’ll shut off if they get too hot or if they get knocked over and make sure there is nothing flammable around them. Any kind of fossil fuel thing, like kerosene heaters, make sure it’s well ventilated. Don’t use those inside or even in an enclosed garage without some sort of ventilation because of the carbon monoxide that can go off of any kind of open flame.”
Chief Wolven said one of the main ways people can protect themselves and their families from house fires is to ensure that there are working smoke alarms throughout the home, all year round.
“Check your smoke detectors, make sure they work. Make sure you have an escape plan,” Chief Wolven said.
Chief Wolven said in 2020, the department did have to change a few red bulbs to white. However, the hope is to remain red throughout all of the 2021 season.
“If everybody pays attention, we won’t have to [change any bulbs to white],” Chief Wolven said. “It’s just there for a month or so during the holiday season to just remind everyone to be fire safe.