Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1912-12-21

EieCtrlc NlflnS IN dwellings, Is SUI.
jected to smaller loads and is not of
such an intricate nature as to call
for much crossing or exposure where
the insulation might be worn off, but
the simplest of wiring should be pro-
tected in accordance with the Under
writer's Rules. An inspection should
be made at least once a year to see
what condition the wiring is in. AS
simple as these things are, hardly
one man in ten knows anything about
the condition of the wiring in his
dwelling. !.
Defective flues cause many fires.
1t sometimes happens that buildings
are poorly constructed, some OF the
weight of the house being placed on
the chimney and as the building set
ties, cracks are opened in the flue,
which communicate fires to the wood
work. These fires are well started be-
fore they are discovered.
The practice of keeping waste pa
per near a kitchen range is danger
Gus. Burning grease or fats may ig-
municatc to the paper.
What we call fire is very rapid com
bustion. Combustion need not be ac-
companied by smeke or fame. Fire
Is the combination of oxygen in the
air with some other substance, like
cloth, paper or wood. All matter is
subject tobcombustion TO a greater or
less degree. When this combustion
Is very rapid, we have flame. When
it is slow; we have smouldering fire,
or merely an indication of combus-
ton in the presence Of heat. Spon-
taneous combustion, Of which we hear
so much, Is nothing more than a
slow oxidation. As the process quick
ems, the material gets warmer. Some
times nothing further happens, but
other times sufficient heat is gener-
ated to produce flame. Greasy rags,
soaked with furniture polish or oil,
old cloth, musty and damp papers or
excelsior are particularly liable to
this form of combustion, and should
either be eliminated or else placed in
safe receptacles. III ....
Workmen about the house may go
away at night and leave working
clothes, rags or waste in some place
that is dangerous, and a fire may
start by spontaneous combustion.
These things are not thought of be-
cause they do not happen regularly
hut the fire danger makes it impera-
tive that they should have the atten-
ton of the housekeeper. While water
is foe to fire, dampness is not, be-
cause 1t aids the combination of oxy-
gen with inflammable material. EX'
celsior should never be left in Gel
lar for this reason. .r.... 49,.
What of matches? Isn't. is true
that not one of us is careful enough
with the lighted match? On the new
style tip match, after ignition, the
cap retains spark of fire, seldom
visible, but capable Of producing as
large blaze, if carelessly thrown
away, as a burning match. NEVER
THROW BURNT MATCHES WHERE
! THERE IS THE SLIGHTEST POS
SIBILITY OF CAUSING A FIRE. 1t
is criminal carelessness to throw
them into q waste basket Safety
matches are preferable to any other
kind.
1t seems unnecessary to mention
the danger of gasoline, benzine and
, alcohol, but distressing tragedies fire
! quently occur through the careless
! use of these highly infammable and
explosive liquids by women. Famil
iarity has brought contempt where
I there should be caution. All such
! liquids should be kept in absolutely
air tight -receptacles and used out OF
DOORS. There is sufficient explosive
IN a cubic yard of vapor from these
liquids under compression to blow
1 cut a side of house.
! And the DEMO fire alarm system
will help you protect that home anr
/ business il you will but let it.-Ad
vertisement.