Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1906-04-16
HOUSEHOLD.
DANGER FROM KEROSENE.


k srosene is more dangerous than
either of the first three substances,
and very much less dangerous than
the lighter oils last mentioned.
Now, in any discussion of the
danger which arises from the irfam-
inability OF oils, it is of the utmost
Importance to understand that 1t IS
only the capor Of these substances achich
can eUer catch fire at all. Gasoline is
highly dangerous, because even at the
ordinary temperature if is constantly
producing great quantities OF vapor
This vapor, mixed with air, explodes
with violence when touched with
fame. Paraffin is safe because, under
the same circumstances, it gives of
practically no vapor at all.
Furthermore, it is to be remembered
shat this matter of vaporization
depends directly upon temperature
A good kerosene viii not give on |
enough vapor at ordinary tempera'
lures to he infamfnable, but the same
kerosene, if hot, might be exac ~ as
dangerous as gasoline is when cool.
If kerosene is heated gradually, and
small flame is passed across the
surface every time the temperature
rises one degree or SO, there comes
time when vapor forms in quantity
sufficient TO ignite. 1t catches ire,
AMI burns for an instant with feeble
blue fame or ''fasb," and then goes
out. The temperature of the oil the
mo ment this occurs is called the
''fash- point" and marka the begin
ming of danger in respect to that
particular sample of oil.
Obviously, a perfectly safe kero-
sane must not be capable of flashing
at any temperature to which it is
likely to be heated in ordinary use.
AS actual measuI ements show that
the oil in the reservoir of a llghteo
lamp may be from eight to fifteen
or more degrees hotter than the air
of the room. it is evident that a safe
oil for use the year around ought not
to flash in a closed vessel like the
bowl Of lampiat temperature lower
than one hundred degrees.
"Fire-te is an expression which
should not be COMPOUNDED with fash
point. At the flash-point, as has been
said, just enough vapor is formed to
catch fire if touched with flame. Il
burns for an instant and then goes
out. If the oil is heated still hotter
however, it gives eff vapor with
greater rapidity, and presently
another point is reached where the
vapor forms SO rapidly that it con
tiuues to burn when touched with g
| flame. This IS the "Gre-point'' OF
ss'fre-test.'' The re-point may be
= from twenty to forty degrees higher
than the flash point, according to the
quality of the oil aud the kind o
: | apparatus in which it is determined
Tt would be an excellent thing i
there were some simple and perfectl.
-. safe way in which a. housekeepe
: could determine fec herself the flash
/ point of the keroseua she buys. Un
fortunately, the handing of kerossn
/; which is hot enough to fla h is
highly dangerous thing for one WI
> is notinstructedi in the matter. Their
, are some things, however. which
housekeeper may do:
p 1. Kerosene should always b
handled by daylight, ard away fror
f. 4 all flames and fires. Under no cir
: ! cupstances whatever should a lam
: be filed while its wick is lighted.
2. After filling lamp, both til
burner and the reservoir shoul
|; always be carefully wiped free frol
q 1 oil films.
a 3. When lamp is not burning,
: is well to Keep the wick little b.
Il / the top of the tube. This helps
4: prevent oil from working over upo
j. the burner and reservoir.
L 4. Fill your lamps as often as the
2 ere used; Especially do not light
a / lamp when the oil is low in II
1 reservoir.
5. remembering that even expls
n sive vapor cannot do harm unless
some way it actually comes in col
tact with the fame, never use
&c burner which fits loosely upon tt
IS rest of the lamp 4 loose joint ma
y leak. vapor, " hich is likely IN turn
c; be drawn up into the fame.
y 6. Never use a wick which do
c; not Il the tube provided for it.
c; Z. Never blow out a kerosene fan
downward. Turn down tbs wics
r little and let the fame go out
~ Itself Ii you must blow it out, bio
y upward through the burner, or acro
m the top of the chimney. Both
these methods produce an upwal
draft.
- s. Always keep the kerosene CO
=" and filler in a clean, we'll ventilate
= pla e, where no lights ever come.
" 9. you must continue the reprt
~ hensibie practice of using kerosene
le- kindle a FIRE, Go not use it direct
ST from the can. Pour the oil you al
IS TO use into an open cup, away fro