The Whitefish pilot. [volume] (Whitefish, Mont.) 1904-current, 1911-11-30
CARELEssNEss WITH MATCHES
Burns Building and Children.

NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. WITH MAICnC0
Burns Building and Children.
Using matches carelessly bur2s
down thousands Of buildings and
burns to death many children in
the United States every year.
In one building in every eight
burned down the fire is started by
the careless handling of matches. In
large cities it is one in every five.
The matches we have are much
nicer and cheaper than those used
few years ago. Our grandfathers
had for matches pine blocks an inch
square and one and a half inches
long, which were split part way
down SO splinter could be pulled
off, The free end Of the splinters
had been dipped in a mixture with
sulpher in it. These matches when
struck gave the bad choking fumes
o: sulpher. On that account they
were called 'Lucifer" matches.
When the match we use was made
it was called the ''parlor' match be-
cause it was fit for use where there
was company"
Keeping Fire.
Our grandfathers' grandfather
had no matches. They kept fire
from day to day and week to week
through the year in the open fire
place by covering live Goals or
brands with ashes. If the Goals
died, as they sometimes did. the
children were sent to a neighbours
to fetch some. II there was no
neighbor near, the father would
spread some flaxen tow on the
hearth and pour little powder over
it from his hunters horn. Then he
would take a piece of flint and
strike it with piece of steel while
holding both over the tow A spark
from the flint would explode the
powder and that would light the
tow. The flint commonly used was
IA AAUA0u dIIOWuOdu.
The Parlor Match.
The dangers from carelessness
with parlor matches we use are
many. When scratched the head
often explodes or the stick breaks
and flaming pieces fly. When they
drop they often set fire to waste
paper, sweepings, lace curtains and
the clothing of women and children.
The smoker, and often the mother,
too, after using the match gives it
twirl and toss without looking
sec if it is still glowing.
II match is kept afire long
enough for the stick to be burned
through it will remain a red hot Goa
for. sometimes as long as a minute.
A large part of the match fires re-
suit from one of these hot sticks be-
ing thrown upon something that is
easily lighted.
Wicked Carelcssness.
Careless persons leave these
matches lying about although one OF
them may be lighted by the suns
rays coming through a bubble in
window glass. fish globe or thru
a water bottle. round paper
weight or grandma's spectacles
Loose in drawers or on desks they
may take fire from rubbing or
blow. On the mantel they may be
ignited by the heat from the crate
or stove. They may be brushed or
blown off the mantel and lighted
when they strike the floor. They
are often set off by tramping upon
them.
Many fires which destroy build
lngs start from flying match heads
or glowing sticks being dropped in
trash.
Where Match Fires Start.
More fires caused by carelessness
with matches start in the celler
than in any other part of the house.
But, never week passes without a
house being burned by match be-
ing used, for moment, to light a
closet. Many fires are started by