The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-07-11
Chief WiImarth Makes Fire
Prevention Suggestions.
Another Step in Campaign
Against Fire Hazards.
THE LITTLE THINGS DANGEROUS
1t Is CarelesSness in Small
Matters That Make Fires.
Chief Especially Anxious That
Trash Be Removed.

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reduce the fire hazards in Topeka was
taken by Chief Wilmarth of the fire
department today when he made pub
lie his list of warnings and fire pre-
vention suggestions to the assistant
fire inspectors in the six city districts.
The chief asks property owners to
hang this list in a conspicuous place
and ask all employees and members of
families to read carefully. 1t covers
the many little dangers from fires
things that cause a majority of the
fires fought in Topeka every year.
The list follows:
Easements, atticS, closets and stair
was should be kept as free as pos
sible from accumulation of rubbish or
combustible material.
Matches should in all cases be kept
in metal boxes, away from rats and
mice, and beyond the reach of chilly
dren. Safety matches Should be used
if possible. The socalled parlor match
is dangerous.
Yards and premises should be kept
free from accumulation of trash and
combustible matters.
Ashes must not be deposited within
any building. except in safe metal or
noncombustible receptacle.
Stove pipes are not allowed to pass
through the roof or sides Of any build
ing; all stove pipes that pass through
any wooden partitions or floors must
be protected by a safe double collar
of metal, with sufficient air space be-
tween e inches If possible) and hav-
wise protected in a manner equally
safe.
Pipe holes in chimneys, when not in
use, must be kept closed with tight
fitting metal stopper. Sometimes these
openings are found papered over, with
no metal cap behind the paper, and in
other cases imperfect fitting caps are
found that do not safely close the
openings Of these should be
permitted.
Wooden boxes or barrels filed with
loose straw, hay, excelsior, waste
paper piled in Easements, or in yards
against or near the rear of buildings,
are dangerous, and should not be per-
mitted.
All gas stoves and connections to
same, must be kept in perfect cCndi-
ton, and all gas connections kept free
from leaks.
All heating stoves and ranges must
have beneath them a zinc, or other
freprC of protection.
Furnaces not inclOSed in brick must
not be placed too near woodwork, I'M
less the same is properly protected by
asbestos and metal; all furnaces must
be placed as the building laws require.
Electric irons must not be left con-
nected after use.
All ctimneys should be kept clean
and in perfect repair.
Closets, space under StairwayS, cell
lars and attics must not be used as
"catch alp for rubbish or combustible
material of any kind.
Oily waste, rags, or any material
saturated with grease, oils or paints
are dangerous, and should be properly
cared for.
The balconies and stairs to fire es-
capes, and the approach to same with
in buildings, must be kept free and
unobstructed at all times.
Waste paper, shavings, excelsior, and
com bustible rubbish must not be
thrown into the streets or alleys.
In business and office buildings, hotels
and manufactures, no loose combustible
material should be allowed to accumulate
near the elevator shaft, well holes and
stairways.
Swinging gas brackets are dangerous,
unless provided with proper guards.
Flexible electric lighting cords should
never be fastened or held by metal hooks,
staples or nails.
Electric light bulbs should not be per-
mitted to hang against or near wood,
or fabrics of any kind.
Dry leaves and rubbish must not be
burned when there is high wind; and
not at any time near any building.
The hearths, backs and sides of all open
CRATES and Observation-Disclosures gas or coal
Is used-must be constructed the
building law requires.
Gasoline should be handled at all times
with extreme care; the vapor from 1t is
very inflammable and dangerous
Gasoline, naphtha, benzine or other like
products should not be used in a closed
room, for cleaning clothes or fabrics of
any kind and never where there is a fire
or flame of any kind; should be done in
the open air whenever possible.
In all dry cleaning establishments ex-
IRENE care must be exercised at all
times; and should be kept properly venti-
lakeland should not have connection
with any public private sewer.
Gasoline should be kept outside of build
ings in properly constructed and approved
metal tanlSs-underground when possible;
when kept in small quantities 1T must be
kept in approved self-closing safety con-
tanners.
In garages, and elsewhere in any room
where gasoline or other inflammable
products are kept or used, smoking, or
the lighting of matches, must be pro-