Connecticut western news., 1885-05-20
@ WARNINGS ABOUT KEROSENE.
How to Check and Avoid Lamp Ex
 plosions,

ptosions.
 l The infamous extortions practiced by gas companies have caused a return, in thousands of families, te the use of kero- sene oil for Illuminating purposes. The cost of the oil is but tithe of that of gas, while the light afforded by the for mer-if it is eonsumed in a proper lamp-is very much better and steadier than that of gas. The danger incurred by careless handling of the oil is the principal objection to its use. But it must be borne in mind that the danger is not in the oil itself, but in the igno- rant or reckless handling of if. Not even gunpowder is dangerous in itself, but any fool with a match can turn its danger loose very suddenly So it is with kerosene. Treat it properly and it will be good servant but if you do not, the chances are that you will hasten your progress toward the angel choir. The Christian Union recently published some very sensibly-put practical infor- nation on this subject, which should be read and remembered by all house. keepers. It said:
 CA great many fatal accidents hap pen from trying to pour oil into a lamp when it is lighted. Most per sons suppose that it is the kerosene itself that explodes, and that if they are very careful to keep the oil from being touched by the fire or the light, there will be no explosion. But that is not so: If can or lamp is left about half full of kerosene oil, the oil will dry up, that is, ''evaporate" a little, and will form, by mingliDg in the air in the upper part of the can, very explosive gas. You cannot see this gas any more than you can see air. But if it is dis turbed aud driven out and a blaze reaches it, there will be a terrible ex- plosiop, although the blaze did not touch the oil. There are several other liquids used in houses and workshops which will produce an explosive vapor in this way. Benzine is one, burning fluid is another, and naphtha, alcohol, ether and chloroform may do the same ! thing.
 "In New York shop lately there was a can of benzine or gasoline on the floor. A boy sixteen years old lighted cigar cite and threw the burning match on the floor near the can. He did not dream that there was any danger, be- cause the liquid was locked up in the can. But there was a great explosion, and he was badly hurt. This seems very mysterious. The probability is that the can had been standing there a good while, and a good deal of vapor had formed, some of which had leaked out around the stopper and was hang ing in a sort of invisible cloud over and around the can, and the cloud, when the match struck it, exploded.
 Suppose girl tries to ill kerosene lamp without first extinguishing the blaze. Of course the lamp is nearly empty or she would not care to fill it.. This empty space is filled with cloud of explosive vapor arising from the oil in the lamp. When she pushes the noz- gle of the can into the lamp at the top and begins to pour, the oil, running into the lamp, fills the empty space and pushes the cloud of explosive vapor, and the vapor is obliged to pour over the edges of the lamp into the room outside.
 "Of course it strikes against the blaz- ing wick which the girl is holding down by the side. The blaze of the wick sets the invisible cloud of vapor on fire, and there is an explosion which ignites the oil and scatters it over her clothes and over the furniture of the room. This is the way in which a kerosene lamp bursts. The same thing may happen when girl pours the oil over the fire in the range or stove if there is a cloud of explosive yapor in the upper part of the can, or, if the stove is hot enough. to evaporize quickly some of the oil as it falls. Remember, it is not the oil but the invisible vapor which explodes. Taking care of the oil will not protect you. There is no safety except in the rule: Never pour oil on a lighted fire or into lighted lamp
 "When lamps oil has burned low, don't shake it to brighten its flame. The gas generated within its empty globe may explode and cause terrible suffering. Don't place kerosene lamps on or near stoves where they will be- come heated, for explosions may occur in consequence. In one family, lamp carelessly placed on 8 mantel shelf be- hind hot stove funnel exploded with fearful results"