The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1875-04-15
ParlOr Matches.

1t should be borne in mind that as the
facility with which we can strike light
is increased SO is the danger increased.
With these matches the merest light
stroke gives US a light; so a similar
stroke made accidentally upon a careless
ly-dropped match may cause conf1a-
grafton. These matches should be kept
as carefully as you would keep gum
powder. Have no matches lying about;
in each room where they are to be used,
have a metallic match-safe. Excellent
ones of cast iron may be- had cheaply;
elegant ones of bronze, for finer rooms,
are also made. But let there be fixed
places where matches are to be kept,
and insist they shall be kept no
where else. Have common matches in
the kitchen, and equally well protected.
Teach by example and precepJ that
they are great blessing and source of
great danger. Have them out of reach
of children and of rats. Many build
ing has been burned by rat gnawing a
match. Rats will carry off parlor
matches to their holes; perhaps they are
tempted to do this by the smell of paraf-
fine, with which their ends are coated be.
fore the explosive mixture is put on. We
saw year or two ago quart at least of
parlor matches that were taken from a
rats nest, in country hotel not far
from where we live; the rats had gath.
cred these from the bar and other parts
of the house, and taken them to their
nest, and single bite at one, or any
rough usage, would have set the house
on fire, and "the work of an incendiary"
would have been the verdict. We have
not the least desire to speak i'll of these
matches, but we think it best that their
dangerous possibilities should be known
In this case, as in others, it is not "folly
to be wise" Sometimes, though not
often, the matches happen to be of poor
wood, and the blow given to strike
a light simply breaks off the match near
the end. Don't take another and another
until one is found to light and think no
more about it, but hunt for these match
ends, lest they be swept up and go with
the rubbish. The rubbish heap in winter
is often under shed until it can be dis
posed of in spring. Look out that no
match ends make burning on their own
account. Occasionally we get lot of
matches which go off with an explosion
and scatter small burning particles We
buy our matches by wholesale, and once
had large lot in which, owing to care
lessness in mixing the compound with
which they were tipped, every, match
was small TORPEDO, sometimes throwing
minute particles of burning matter for a
foot or more. Even with ordinary lots a
match will sometimes go with bang.
One of these fiery bits upon the eye will
cause intense pain-we have known it to
do so by hitting the face-if not irrepara-
Die damage. Therefore never draw a
match toward you-always draw it from
yeH, and this, in case of an explosion,
will incline the particles away from the
face. AS experienced hunters rarely
have an accident with their arms, be-
cause they know just what they are
capable of doing, so there need be no &C
cidents with matches if all know the
mischief of which they are capable. BY
'parlor match" we have reference to no
particular manufacture, but refer in a
general way to those matches which have
no sulphur, and the igniting material of
which ignites in half-explosive manner.
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