Morris tribune., 1912-12-20
PREVENT FIRE DANGER.
Use Extreme Care in Decorating
Christmas Trees.

For number Ct years the press of
America have agitated sane celebra-
tiOn of July 4th. The results show a
gratifying decrease in the number Of
accidents both to life and property
through the careless handling of fire.
works. In Minnesota last July the
losses were nominal both as to life
and property.
The rapidly approaching Christmas
season brings grave fire hazards with
it. The fimsy materials used in
store decorations are of a highly in
f1ammable nature. usually in close
proximity to kerosene. gas, acetylene.
electric and other lights Electric
lights properly safe-guarded are the
ideal light for decorative purposes,
bat improper handling makes them a
decided fire menace. Electric bulbs
should never be wrapped with tissue
paper or cloth for colored effects as
the heat from light of small calibre
will ignite if kept in contact with
the wrappings for short time.
The average Christmas tree offers
unusual opportunities for terrible
holocaust as the tree and trimmings
lighted with gaily colored candles
is veritable death trap. Churches.
halls and school houses where public
celebrations are held are usually
packed to suffocation and in many
instances the aisles and other means of
exit are filed with people, making
escape almost impossible, but in any
event imperiling the lives of eli who
attend 1t has been truly said:
"TWigs of resinous trees: festoons
of leaves: wreaths of tissue paper;
bags of netting; cotton batting: fluffy
clothes for dollies: toys If dried,
painted wood; ornaments of explosive
celluloid; mix and insert few dozen
candles Label, Christmas Tree or
"The Ideal Incendiary. -
The State Fire Marshall does not
wish to be understood as opposing the
proper celebration of the Christmas
season. The interest taken by the
lpublic in its observance is commend
able, but every Christmas records
many fires costing hundreds Of lives
and thousands of dollars worth of
property. which could have been saved
had proper care been used. Wherever
possible electric lights installed by a
competent electrician should be used
for the tree Illuminating. Cotton is
the most common material used for,
tree decorating. it is also the most
infammable and should never be toler-
ated. There is a substance called
mineral wool, made of asbetos,
which gives better effect and will
not burn. Santa Claus wearing ap-
, parel makes him human torch un-
less his outfit is dipped in a solution
of alum. which will make it practi-
cally fireproof.
If the people of Minnesota fully
appreciate the dangers to which their
families are subjected at this season
] they would give the Fire Marshal
every possible cooperation in carry
! ing out suggestions made to minimize
this danger.
!, Do not use COTTON batting, tissue
paper or celluloid ornaments on a
! tree.
Place the gifts beneath the tree in
I stead of suspending them from the
branches.
See that no draught of air reaches
the tree to sway it's branches while
it is illuminated.
Extinguish all lights on the tree
before attempting to distribute gifts,
especially if any are suspended from
the branches.
Never leave the tree unmatched
while illuminated and make certain
that all lights are thoroughly extin-
s guished before you leave ii.
Have sheet metal (tin or zinc)
beneath every tree to catch drippings
from the candles or possible burning
0 material.
Have buckets of sand or water. or
fire extinguishers in place conven-
8 lent for instant use.
And, finally, as has frequently been
: suggested heretofore, "BE CARE
Full"
Christmas dangers are all avoidable
and carelessness has no excuse, espe-
c!ally where the lives of children
: might be endangered. This is their
e day and they should be enabled to en-
Joy it in perfect safety.
CHARLES E. KELLER.
q CT ato Eiro M orsh