The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1911-12-19
CARE NEEDED TO
PREVENT FIRES
Carelessness at Christmas time
Increases the Danger from
Flames
WARNING BY FIRE MARSHAL
Life and Property Can Be Pro-
tected Only By the Ut
most Caution.

State Fire MarSnal CflarloS T..
Keller has sounded the following
fire warning through lis chief as
sistant, Asa M. Wallace;
"The Christmas spirit of peace
on Earth, Good Will to Men" is
abroad in the land.
while this season means SO much
to old and young there are at least
two classes of people who, by rea-
son of their employment, view the
approach of Christmas with more or
less apprehension. Reference is had
to members of the various fire de-
partments and the state fire mar
shal's force. Despite repeated
warnings from the various authori-
ties of the dangers Of fire in con-
nection with the decorations con-
sidered necessary in the Christmas
season, many are still careless.
DANGERS From Trees
cat this time the:Minnesota Fire
Marshal Department urgently re-
quests the people of this state to
.redouhle their efforts to prevent
fires. 1t has been truly said:
=" 'Twigs of resinous trees: fes-
ICONS of leaves; wreaths of tissue
paper; bags of netting; cotton bat
ting; fluffy clothes for dollies; toys
of dried, painted wood; ornaments
of explosive celluloid, mix and in
sert few dozen candles. Label
Christmas Tree of 'sThe Ideal In
cendiary.' /"
Keep Aisles Clear
aside from the unusual fire con-
ditions surrounding the. average
Christmas tree festivities those in
charge are oftentimes criminally
careless in the matter in which they
allow people to fill the aisles and
exits, which in most churches and
school houses are poor at best.
''The interest taken in the Christ
mas celebration is appreciated, but
every Christmas records numerous
accidents, besides the loss of thou
sands of dollars worth of property.
Beware the Cotton Snow
in the trimming of trees cotton
is more dangerous than any other
fibre because of its hollow structure
and the stimulative effect on COM
bustion of the air contained. There
fore it positively should not be
used for its snow effect under
Christmas trees. Celluloid orna-
ments likewise should be stunned.
Wherever possible electric lights
should be used for tree decoration.
The expense Of the first installation
would be nominal and the fixtures
could be saved from year to year.
Electricity properly handled is per-
fectly safe, but electric bulbs should
never be wrapped in various colored
tissue paper for color effects. as the
heat from small bulb will set fire
to cloth or paper if kept in contact
with it for few hours.
Try Mineral Wool
do not use cotton batting for
the purpose of procuring snow
effect. There is a substance called
mineral wool" (made of asbestos
which gives better effect and
will not burn.
If Santa Claus is to appear lei
him not wear the material which
would readily make of him human
torch, but let him see that his
clothing is made Of material which
will not ignite. The material COM
monty used can be dipped in so
linton of alum, which will make
them practically fireproof.
Christmas dangers are all avoid
able, and carelessness has no excuse,
especially where the lives Of chill
dren might be endangered. This il
their day and they should be enabled
to enjoy it in perfect safety