Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-11-28
CHRISTMAS FIRE
WARNINGS SOUNDED
Department Issues Circular OF
Hints-To Post Inspectors
in Shopping Zone.

Following consultation with Com
missioner Thomas e. Burke, chair
man of the committee on COM
bustibles, Chief Inspector c. Albert
Gasser, of the bureau of combustibles,
has assigned inspectors for patrol
duty in the shopping districts during
the holidays, and issued a pamphlet
of warning on fire prevention.
The inspectors duty is to visit
stores in the shopping zone, and keep
close supervision over the shipping
rooms, heating arrangements, no
smoking regulation, window decora-
tions, store trimmings, fire escape ap-
paratur, fire exits, fire extinguishing
apparatus, and all other matters per-
tanning to the prevention of fire. The
order goes into effect Monday, Decem-
Der 1. The inspectors are cautioned
ITO be courteous and avoid argu-
ments. If in doubt call up the office"
The pamphlet, which is being sent
to the heads Of all Of the department
stores and to factories where there
is danger of fire, as well as being dis
tributed by the inspectors to the gen.
eral public, sounds warning and
gives instruction how to prevent fire.
Headed christmas Dangers" the
pamphlet says: LOSS of life and
property In fires during the Christmas
holidays Is nearly all due to careless
ness.
ut is too late to be careful after a
fire.
insurance may pay loss of ma
terial, but loss of business cannot be
recovered, nor can anyone bring back
human life.
Common sense and good Judgment
should be used.
"Vhildren love to play with fire, and
it is the duty of grown-up people to
protect them from dangers which
they do not comprehend.
"These few suggestions are offered
in the interest of the public safety"
AS to window decorations in the
various stores, the pamphplpept adj
vises: Paper, cotton batting or light
fabrics of any kind should never be
used In decorating stores or store win
| dows unless they have been dipped in
/ q chemical solution to render them
on-infiaammable. An efficient fire.
| pproof solution Is made up of phos-
| phate of ammonia in the proportion
| of four ounces to a quart of water.
| Show windows should be ventilated.
! Spontaneous combustion may be ex-
| pected If this precaution Is over
| looked"
AS to lighting the Christmas trees,
etc, "all electric wiring should be
carefully examined, and should be in
spected by the electrical inspector OF
the building department Extra wir-
! ing for the holidays display Is gem
orally hurriedly done and very apt to
be defective. Gas lights should be
protected by globe, chimney, screen
or smoke bells, and all combustible
material should never be used. Do not
dress electric light globe in paper
petticoats, as the heat Is sufficient
| to start a blaze"
| In department stores chemical fire
apparatus should be placed In conve-
nient locations for quick use in case
of fire. Do not pile merchandise on
| tho extinguishers. Have pals of
sand ready and pals of water handy
Put up no smoking signs. These
win be furnished. upon request, by
| the bureau of combustibles. Every
employee should be taught exactly
what to do in case of fire. This is
highly important.
"In schools, churches and halls or
wherever children or grown folks
gather to celebrate. unusual precau-
tons should be taken by those in
charge. Exits should be marked with
red lights and kept free and clear.
Sheet, tin or zinc should be placed
under every Christmas tree to catch
candle drippings. Sand, water or fire
extinguishers should be kept in the
most convenient place for instant use.
Every Santa Claus costume of fam
mel or other quickly burning material,
with its cotton batting trimmings
and its false beard and wig, should
be dipped in fireproof solution. Have
a soft rug handy.
Don't trim Christmas trees at
home with cotton batting or paper
or similar materials. The dry tree
is bad enough. Watch the candles
and be especialld careful in making
electric light connections. See that
several basins or pals are filled with
water and kept in the kitchen. Water
may be needed in a great hurry, Keep
a soft rug or blanket handy. If a
! persons clothing takes fire, the very
first thing to do is to throw that
lperson down. This changes the d.
rection of the flame and saves eyes,
face and lungs. The rug or blanket
is next. Tuck it around the body to
exclude the air. Keep curtains, mus
lin and similar materials at least two
feet away from gas Jets
For Everybody--Be unusually care
full 1t will pay. The one great OBJ
ject of this bureau is to prevent fire
and thus save human lives and prop
erty. Cooperation will be very much
Abbreviated