Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1909-11-19
SEEK TO PREVENT
CHRISTMAS DAY
%H0L0CAUSTS
Fire Underwriters Association
Issues Circular of Timely
Warning to City Officials of
Albuquerque.

To take time by the forelock and
avert as far as possible the annual
fires and accompanying loss of life
and property resulting from the ig-
hitting of Christmas decorations, the
engineer of the Rocky Mountain Fire
Underwriters associations transmits
TO the chief OF the Albuquerque fire
department and other officials, the
following circular letter and personal
communication:
Denver, Colo, Nov. Is, 1909.
ITO City and Lighting Company Off
Gals, Albuquerque, n. NJ.
"Gentlemen:-We will appreciate
your assistance in distributing warn
ings as to tho use of temporary holt
day decorations in those places where
they will 10 the most good.
ut a portion OF the precaution
could be inserted in some daily news
paper a few weeks before Christmas,
II might be of considerable advantage
and precaution in tho use of frail
decorations nay be the means of saw
ing both life II property.w
Thanking you In advance for your
cooperation, We are. our very truly.
~. CANADA.
electrical Engineer"
Christmas Decorations and Displays.
We desire to call attention to the
danger of life and property from the
fire hazards of holiday displays and
decorations in public buildings,
churches and especially in mercantile
esta blishments.
The common use of tissue paper,
cotton. cheese cloth, ~festoonings,
greens, harvest specimens and other
inflammable materials Is considered
extremely dangerous, especially when
used in connection with electric light
ing effects and other common lights; |
ii being practically impossible to make
displays Of this nature without a de-
cided increase in the fire hazard. One
of the conditions Of every fire policy |
Is as follows;
This entire policy, unless other
wise provided by agreement endorsed
hereon. or added thereto. shall be
void If the hazard be increased by
means within the control or knowl-
edge of the insured"
Therefore, under a strict interpre-
tation of the conditions of the policy,
such displays would render the con-
tract OF insurance void, unless the
policy is endorsed with especial per-
mission for the increased hazard,
which viii generally be grant
I'd only in consideration of an addi-
.ional premium commensurate with
he hazard.
All extensions, temporary work or
to electric lighting or pow
n service, such as extra lights, min
allure lamps and small power arrange
for automatic displays or any
'ther alterations OF electric installa-
ions. should be installed only by COM
'etent electricians, and this office :
hould be duly notified of any such
.lterations, in order that proper in
pection can be made. Light fabrics, .
otton batting. decorative ~ and
elluloid ornaments should not be
'laced in close proximity to electric I
or fastened to electric wires or !
xtures. or binary flexible cord, cut
uts. switches. flashers, motors or any
lectrical fittings with exposed con-
should not be used in show win
ows. and same should never be COW
red over with decorative material. p.
isntlns III WHICH current Is sup =
lied from any other source. except :
DIV voltage batteries. is not permit
I'd. as any undue rise in voltage in a
M of h most serious fire :
le
Precautions should be taken to pre- =
ent the accumulations of light pack /.
lg materials. rubbish and other in l
lammable stuffs in Easements. pack !
lg and shipping rooms. under our !
Frs and in pits of elevator shafts. '
Where false fronts. ceilings. elevations "
partitions are used in windows. n
space behind same should be per- =
ectly clear n free from waste NAL "
arials. n same should be so ar =
anged as 20. allow proper accessibfi-fC
y. Do not store stock or material :