Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-08-07

thickest of the smoke which ascends,
approach the seat OF the fire and en-
deavor TO stifs or beat out the flame.
A wet blanket or even a dry one,
speedily used, will extinguish many a
small conhagrstion-such, for instance,
as Of an upset lamp. by excluding the
ire and will be far more ef6cacious
than water thrown on for that purpose;
its use also prevents damage to furni-
ture.
When an alarm Of fire is given, If in
bed, wrap yourself 10 blanket, which
will form the best protection for you
from the chance of iguitioas A blan-
ket wetted and wrapped round the
body will enable . person to pass
through q sheet Of fame in compare
tive safety. Should a lady's dress
catch FIRE, let the wearer at once lie
down; rolling may extinguish the FIRE,
but it not anything (woOlen preferred)
wrapped tightly round, will effect the
desired purpose.
Keep cain and endeavor to remem.
Der the different exits from the house,
where they are and how to reach
them. If you cannot attain to any
OF them, try to get to front room as
near the ground as possible. Collect
the household there and close the door
to lessen drafts In making your
escape it is advisable to study the
wind. In the case of fire burning
with the wind-i. e., taking that d.
rection-it is we'll to select q spot
where the wind will help your escape
by blowing the fire and smoke away
from, rather than upon you.
Every householder should define
line of action to be followed in case of
fire. Those without any mechanical
means OF saving life should provide
piece of rope of sufficient length to
reach from roof to basement. A
strong belt made fast to one end
should, when used, be buckled
directly under the arms and around
the chest and back of the person 20
be lowered. One end can be secured
by passing it once or twice round the
leg of bed and it will then pay itself
out when slackened. By this means
one person can lower all others to the
ground, and escape himself by making
the rope permanently fast and sliding
down it. n
An old gentleman once heard of
used to drill his children into how To
act in case of fire. Each Of them had
a special Office allotted him-one to
wake and count the household and
to give the alarm, a second to find the
cause Of the fire and if possible put it
out, 10 bring water and otherwise help
In extinguishing it, a third to take
charge OF plate and other valuables
and to convey everything possible to
a place OF safety. Their father used
to declare that, so we'll were they
drilled, he bad tested them by false
alarm in the middle of the night and
found them quite equal to the coca,
sion.
In mansions and large houses, buck.
cts Of water should be placed on every
floor, and kept for use in case Of are
only.
BE very careful with the available
water, especially so where the quantity
is limited. An ordinary jug OF water
may be sufficient to extinguish body
OF flames if judiciously used.
The servants in all establishments
fitted with hydrants and hose or other
fire brigade appliances should be oc
casionally practioed in fire drill,
sudden alarm always being resOrted to
for practice.
| 1t is well to whiten the roofs of
houses in summer weather, iu order
to lessen the great boat In the lofts,
which rendeFs Fafters and woodwork
generally exceedingly dry.