The Illinois State Fire Marshal is participating in the Keep the Wreath Red Campaign this holiday season.
Public Information Officer JC Fultz said it involves hanging wreaths at their office in Springfield and at the Quinn Fire Academy in Chicago.
“This campaign actually began in Illinois in Naperville in 1954 as a way to raise that fire safety awareness. So the wreath is lit with all red bulbs, and when there is a fire-related fatality in the state, we will change one of those bulbs to a white lightbulb.”
Unfortunately, Fultz said 15 people lost their lives last year to fire-related incidents. And there have been five such deaths this year since December 1st.