Milford chronicle., 1909-09-24
In Case of Fire.

The question of securing adequate
protection from fire has always
been a serious one to the farmer.
The city dweller, secure in the
thought that fully equipped fire
department watches day and night
over his property, may, with little
risk, dismiss the matter from his
mind. But to the rural inhabitant
living at a distance from any fire.
fighting apparatus, the problem Of
fire protection is an individual one,
aud demands his personal considera-
ton.
At stated intervals in many Of
our large manufacturing plants the
employees conduct a fire drill, at
which time the fire apparatus is
inspected and each person instruct
ed what to do to save life and prop
erty in case Of fire. This practice
is to be highly commended. Taught
by these drills to think of fire as an
ever present danger, and familiar
lied with conditions as they exist
during a fire on actual blaze when
it does come inspires none of the
usual terror and confusion. In or
der, and with no loss of time, the
fre-hghting apparatuses are
brought into play, and the fire
subdued with minimum loss in
efficiency and property.
The precautions taken by these
manufacturers is well worthy Of
imitation. Every farmer should be
able to answer the question.
"What should I do in case Of fire."
There will come a time, perhaps,
when the very existence of his most
precious possessions may depend |
upon how he has answered this
question.
No matter how careful you are
around your barn, or in the house,
you cannot entirely eliminate the |
danger of fire. The carelessness Of
a hired man, the accidental upset
ting of a lantern, spontaneous COM
bustion, or a lightning bolt from
the heavens may at any time kindle
a blaze. There will be no time to
decide then how best to put it out;
thus the Importance of deciding
now when there is time.
I remember witnessing the de-
by fire of a farmhouse in
a small New Hampshire town. The
ire was discovered about midnight
1y one OF the occupants Of the
house, and although the blaze was
hen confined to one end of a room,
le, and the other members of the
amily who soon came to his assis-
ance. were unable to get water
here in sufficient quantities to put
t out or prevent it spreading. The
.ntire village was speedily alarmed,
very man and many women lend
ng their willing though Intellectual
i'd. 1t was soon seen that putting
,ut the FIRE was impossible, and the ,
workers confined their efforts to
aving the furniture. When I ar ,
ived from my distant boarding
louse all work had ceased; the
-illiagers stood in a gigantic semi
ircle watching the consumption
# the building, sad sight.
The house was a new one, built ,
" a poor man after years of saving.
lie had spent nearly $4,000 building :
/, but never thought Of spending a a
ew additional dollars to protect it :
rom the only real danger that =
it. Let the desolate 7
himneys and charred remains of =
and barns that one sees
long almost every country road
each their lesson. Do not wait 4
or a disastrous experience of your
wn before you realize the necessity
practical protection from fire.
ock the barn door before the
orse is stolen. The vast majority
fires are discovered in their in
option, and with the means at hand
put them out the instant they
re seen; the farmer may dismiss
lis eternal worry from his mind.
o you know what you would do
case of fre?-Aghculturist.