The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-12-13
A FINAL WARNING
Chief Wilmarth of Fire Depart
ment Issues Instructions.
Tells People of the Holiday Dec
Grafton Dangers.
ALL STORES VISITED.
Inspectors viii Make Numerous
PrecautiOn Trips.
List OF Danger Signals For
List of Danger Signals" For
Benefit of the Public.


department, has just completed the
annual holiday danger signal and
MS warnings and precautions this year
cover every feature of the decorating
OF stores, churches and homes as we'll
as the care and control of gas and
electricity at this time of the year.
Chief Wilmarth has ordered all of
ms inspectors to cover the business
section of the city a number of times
before the holiday rush is over and
make a thorough inspection of stores,
buildings and materials of any kind
that might be in danger of fire.
The chief is endeavoring constantly
to safeguard the lives and the proper
ing in every way possible the fire haz-
ards that are liable to cause fire. wher-
ever they are found to exist in the city.
He considers it a much safer PROPOSE
ton to prevent fire than to control it.
Business men and property owners
should not forget this said Chief
Wilmarth this afternoon. THE ma
jority of fires that occur are the re-
suit. directly or indirectly, of care
lessness, and in very many cases
might have been prevented During
the present holiday season. when
stores are heavily filed with Christ
mas stocks, and the rooms crowded
with customers, the greatest care
of any kind
He has given out the following ad
ditional warnings and precautions
that should be carefully observed:
List of Warnings.
1. In business houses, aisles, stair
ways and exits must be kept free from
distractions.
2. Back doors must be kept unlock
ed during business hours when the
stores are crowded with customers-or
| be SO arranged that they can be throw /
open Immediately.
3. Baby CARRIAGES, or other obStruc
tions should not be placed in the YES
tibule or entrance to stores, when the
building is crowded with customers.
4. Be very careful about the electric
| lights-in show windows. in Easements,
and throughout the premises.
5. Do not permit either electric or
gas lamps to come in contact with
fabrics woodwork, or inf1ammable ma
terial of any kind; if this is permitted,
| a fire is very liable to be the result.
6. Have a chemical fire eXtinguiSher
| always at hand near the show window,
| if the character of the goods displayed
are at all inflammable.
Wiring by Experts Only.
Z. Do not permit any electric wiz
| ing to be done in show windows, OF
| otherwise, except by an expert.
| s. Do not allow loose paper, paper
wrappings, excelsior or other like i'm
| fiammable refuse to accumulate in the
| basement or elsewhere about the
premises; but either sack it or put
/ in a safe receptacle, and then have il
removed as frequently as possible. I'm
| der no circumstances should such ma
| terial be placed, or allowed to accum-
| ulate near elevators, stairwayS, or clos
| cts.
| 8. In the basement stock room or
| that part of the premises where in
| coming and outgoing goods are being
handled, all smoking and lighting of
| matches must be absolutely prohibited,
and the utmost care be taken to guard
| against fire. Keep a chemical fire eX-
| tinguisher always at hand in this part
of the premises.
| 10. See that all fire doors and shut
tiers are closed every night.
| IL. At least one inside curtain to
| store front doors should always be left
partly up at night; and where upper
| front or rear floors are used, at least
one curtain should be left partly up
during the night.
-. In churches, halls, or private resi-
| dences, where Christmas trees and 9TH
| er decorations are used, the utmost
| care should be taken to prevent a fire
| occurring-especially if lighted tapers
or candles are used upon the trees, or
| otherwise; and in case small electric
| bulbs are used for lighting Christmas
| trees or decorations, care should be
| taken to see that nothing that is in
| fammable is placed above or close to
| them Christmas trees, when lighted
| with taperS or candles, should be placed
| a considerable distance away from cur
tains muslins and similar materials.