The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-10-26
FIRE PREVENTION.

OTSdulZSQ flT0 1TOl6CllOQ Association
of Iowa, in addressing the CONNER
cial bodies Of the state, enclosed a
| circular containing so much good ad-
vice regarding the prevention of fire
that it Is given herewith:
"A large part of the fire waste
of this country is directly due to I'M
tidy conditions and other faults of
management. A careful inspection of
your entire premises daily will assist
this office in bringing about a de-
crease in the liability Of fire.
Ashes should be kept in metal
receptacles and never in paper or
wooden barrels or boxes.
"Oily rags and waste should be
kept in standard metal waste cans
and contents removed and burned
each night.
Rubbish should never be allowed
to accumulate in buildings.
"Spittoons should be made of metal
and never contain sawdust or other
combustible material.
Gasoline, naptha and other vol
atile oils should not be kept In build
ing.
Gas brackets should have rigid
fixtures; where necessary to use
swinging brackets all exposed wood
work should be protected with sheet
metal, leaving an air space. Metal
bells should be placed over gas jets
on low ceilings.
Steam pipes should be kept clear
from all wood and other combusible
material.
open fue holes should be pro-
| tected with sheet iron or better be
bricked up.
| Electricity, when improperly in
stalled is hazardous; see that your
certificate of approval covers the en-
tire installation; lamp cords should
not be hung or wrapped around any
piping; paper shades should never be
used. Confer with city electrician
when changes are contemplated. Do
not allow employees to tamper with
electrical installation.
Stove pipes should be run direct
to brick chimneys and never through
floors or partitions; protect floor
under and about stoves with brick,
cement or sheet metal
4 "Stairways should be kept clear at
all times; never place any stock or
shelving on stairs.
4 "Aisles of good width should be
maintained at all times; never pile
stock in front of windows or against
doors, as it handicaps the firemen in
case of fire.
Fire doors and shutters should
be closed every night and stock
should never be placed 50 as to hin
der the ready closing of these fire
e stops
Il See that all fire extinguishing ap.
t paratus is in good working order.
Paper or rags saturated with
printers ink will produce spontane-
, Gus combustion.
Damp lamp black will spon-
: taneously ignite. So will slack and
pulverized coal and charcoal when
wet.
"Parlor matches-never use them,
I always use the safety match, they
/ cost no more.
b BY requiring all doors to swing
e outward, especially in public build
e ings, may prevent the loss of many
p lives
"All buildings over two stories in
height should be provided with fire
escapes and stsndpipe for fire de.
partment use"
In his proclamation naming Nov.
I as fire prevention day in Iowa, Gov
ernor Carroll said:
: cat this time, when public interest
is Justly aroused in the matter OF
2 conservation of the resources of the
r river, the mine, the forest and the
f field, it is proper that public atten
ton be called to the enormous fire
waste which annually takes place II
our country and state.
During the year 1910 the proper
ty loss by fire in the United State:
exceeded 1924 100000. During ths
same time Iowa's contribution to thi:
tremendous national ash heap ex
ceeded s5,oOO,oO0. Not only is tht
loss of property great, but the annua
loss of life is considerable.
While some fires are undoubted
: " the result OF criminal design, the
large majority are caused by failure
: to exercise proper care. Carelessnes:
: in the construction of buildings, il
LIGHTING. in the manner of heating, II
cooking. in storing inflammable ar
ticles or substances, in the handlins
of Illuminating oils, and in the fail
q ure to keep every room free from pa
4 per, oil rags or other rubbish which
: may easily ignite, is the princira
. cause of fires
The electric wire, the gasoline car
and tho match. ell products OF oul
modern civilization, have beconf
daily household necessities Each
5 possesses latent possibilities for de
structive fires which demand Of taose
2 Using them the highest degree Of care
/ I'VE are approaching the season Of
2 the year when fires become more FRI
: puant. The FIRST cold. stormy night Of
winter is usually enc in which 4
s number IF destructive conlagratioaa
occur.
y For the reason herein set forth.
9 have deemed it proper to 20, apart Z
day to be devoted . The inspection
I of property and to making such prem
e araticDs and Improvements as vii
y, hest prevent the occurrence Of fires
g and ! therefore proclaim Wednesday
Nov ! 1911 q. state Fire prererltio-