A little preparedness wrapped up in Holiday Humour.
A safe Christmas and Holiday season to all.

'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

'Twas the night before Christmas when all thru the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

When down thru the chimney all covered with soot,
Came the spirit of fire, an ugly galoot.

His eyes glowed like embers, his features were stern,
As he looked all around for something to burn.

What he saw made him grumble, his anger grew higher,
For there wasn't a thing, that would start a good fire.

No doors had been blocked by the big Christmas tree,
It stood in the corner leaving the passage way free.

The lights that glowed brightly for Betty and Tim,
Had been hung with precaution so none touched a limb.

All the wiring was new, not a break could be seen,
And wet sands at its base kept the tree nice and green.

The tree had been trimmed by a mother insistent,
that the ornaments used must be fire resistant.

And mother had known the things to avoid,
like cotton and paper and plain celluloid.

Rock Wool, metal icicles, and trinkets of glass,
Gave life to the tree; it really had class.

And would you believe it, right next to the tree,
Was a suitable box for holding debris.

A place to throw wrappings of paper and string,
From all the gifts that Santa might bring.

The ugly galoot was so mad he could burst,
As he climbed up the chimney in utter disgust.

For the folks in this house had paid close attention,
To all the rules of good fire prevention.

Donald W. Sidilau
Ft. Devens F.D. Dispatcher 1988