The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-10-28
BE WARE OF FIRES.
Chief .Wilmarth Gives Forth
Warning for Fall.
All Premises Should BE Cleaned
of Waste and Rubbish.
WATCH THE STOVES.
May lie Too Near Partition
Flues Be Examined.
Clean Out Cellars, Closets and
Attics, Says the Chief.

G. o. Wilmarth, chief of the Topeka
fire department pays as much attention
to the prevention of fires as he does to
their cure.
1T is much easier and safer to keep
from having fires than it is to fight
them after they have started" said
the fire marshal today, land if the
people of the city join with me we will
all gain the advantage
Then the chief proceeded to give
forth a series of warnings precautions
that will be read with interest by the
people of the city. This is the time of
the year when the number of fires in
crease-when fires from all causes
combine to overwork the fire depart
ment and cause losses to the people.
Here are few precautionary meas
ures that Chief Wilmarth suggested:
First-The burning of rubbish. dry
grass, and leaves, should not be per-
mitted near any building, or in alleys
and especially when there is any wind.
When it is necessary to burn such ref
use it should be done at safe dis
tance from any building, and should
be attended by a careful person, with
a bucket of water at hand to prevent
any possibility of the fire spreading.
Above all. children should not be per-
mitted to build bonfires or play with
| matches or fire in any form.
Second-CeIars, closets and at
tics should be kept free from the ac-
emulation of conbustible litter and
rubbish.
Third-see that combustible ma
teria1 and rubbish do not accumulate
| near or around the furnace in the cell
| lar or basement; and that the wooden
| joists, and all woodwork above or near
the furnace and hot air pipes, are
properly protected with metal, or
heavy asbestos.
Keep Eyes on the Stove.
Fourth-FIoors under all ranges,
| stoves or other heating appliances
whether gas or coal is used-where
the radiation of heat is too great for
| board, or metal. Stoves should be set
| at safe distance from partition walls
or woodwork, or such woodwork
should be properly protected by heavy
| asbestos board, or metal.
Fifth-A11 gas stoves or other heat
| ing apparatus should be connected
with proper f1ue. All gas connections
| to gas stoves or heaters must be of
iron-rubber flexible tube connections
are unsafe. and their use is prohibited
by the ordinances of the city.
Sixth-Gas CRATES must not be set in
or be surrounded by woodwork; but
must be placed in brick construction,
as the building laws require.
| Seventh-Old ech4mneys should be
looked to and be carefully pointed up
where necessary, or otherwise repaired
as the case may require. Where soft
coal is used chimneys should not be
allowed to become foul with SCOT, as
fires are frequently caused by burning
| SCOT alighting upon single roofs.
Eighth-Do not light an oil stove
and go away and leave it, until sure
| that it is burning safely.
Ninth-Unused stOvepipe openings
| in chimneys should be provided with
tightly fitting f1ue cap.
Tenth-Gasoline must not be kept
within any business building or dwell
| ling.
Observation-Disclosures for the use of
| automobiles must be stored outside of
| the garage, in a safe metal tank or
receptacle properly protected, and To-
Gated at a safe distance from any
| building.
Northumberland lamps should not
be allowed to become in contact with
woodwork, fabrics, or any infammable
material.
Thirteenth-By being careful to re-
move or remedy defects that are liable
| to cause fire, the premises will be
made safer, and fires would be less
| frequent.
The Causes of Fires.
The larger percentage of fires that
| occur each wear are from the following
! First - Children playing with
matches
Second-Bonfires and rubbish.
| Third-Overheated furnaces, CRATES
! and stoves.
Fourth-Leaks in gas connections.
Fifth-Stoves and pipes too near I'M
protected woodwork.
Sixth-Gasoline stoves-defective or
| carelessly handled.
Seventeen lamps and oil stoves.
Eighth-Clothing hung too near