The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1911-10-26
Fire Prevention Day.


Monday, November 1st, has been
designated by Governor Carroll as
fire prevention day for the state of
Iowa. and all towns and cities in the
state are treated alike by the gov
ernor in his proclamation. Only re-
Gently state fire marshal Ole G. Roe
made an official inspection of the
business section of Leon, and it is
expected that he will recommend the
removal of a few old frame buildings
which place valuable property in
jeopardy from fires. The losses by
fire in the state of Iowa last year ex-
ceeded $5,000,000, and the public is
being aroused over the tremendous
fire losses in many parts OF the state.
Leon has been exceptionally FORUM
ate in fire losses within the past few
years but big fire is apt to start at
any time and destroy thousands of
dollars worth of property.
The proclamation by the governor
is as follows:
At this time when public interest
is justly aroused in the matter of the
conservation of the resources of the
river, the mine, the forest and the
field, it is proper that public atten-
tion be called to the enormous fire
waste which annually takes place in
our country and state.
During the year 1910 the property
loss of fire in the United States ex-
ceeded $234,OOO,0 During the
same time Iowa's contribution to this
tremendous national ash heap ex-
ceeded $5,O00,0O0. Not only is the
loss of property great, but the annual
loss of life is considerable.
While some fires are undoubtedly
the result of criminal design, the
large majority are caused by failure
to exercise proper care. Careless
ness in the construction of buildings,
in lighting, in the manner of heat
ing, in cooking, in storing inflamma-
BILE articles or substances, in the han
ding of Illuminating oils, and in the
failure to keep every room free from
paper, oily rags or other rubbish
which may easily ignite, is the prin-
clpal cause of fires.
The electric wire, the gasoline can
and the match, all products of our
modern civilization, have become
daily household necessities. Each
possesses latent possibilities for de-
structive fires which demand of those
using them the highest degree of
care.
We are approaching the season of
the year when fires become more fire.
quent. The first cold, stormy night of
winter is usually one in which a
number of destructive confiagrations
occur. ,-.... T.. .--,-.
For the reason herein set forth, I
have deemed It proper to s4t apart q,
day to be devoted to the inspection
of property and to making such prep
arations and improvements as will
best prevent the occurrence of fires,
and l therefore proclaim Wednes-
day, Nov. 1, 1911, as state fires pre-
vention day, and I would earnestly
recommend that upon that day the
teachers in our public and private
schools and educational institutions
give special attention to the causes,
prevention apd dangers of fires; that
school boards, school officers and
others who are charged with the
duty of looking after school build
ings, give special attention to the
safety of the children and youth who
may attend school; that the mayors
and councilmen of the various cities
and towns give special attention to
the matter of better buildings regu-
fations, better fire protection and
better fire prevention, and that they
see to it that all public buildings
which are not properly equipped
with fire escapes and suitable exits,
be SO equipped and that there be
general cleaning up of dilapidated
buildings which are especially liable
to fire; and that the owners of prop
erty give personal attention to the
removal of all rubbish and debris
from their premises and to the set
ting of their heating appliances and
chimneys in proper condition for win
ter use.