Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-12-16
INSURANCE POLICIES
Do NOT PROVIDE FOR
CHRISTMAS FIRES
Defective Wiring and InfIam-
able Decorations Should
Be Avoided

"Holders of insurance policies should
read them before the Christmas sea-
son, ;" said Insurance Commissioner
Harvey Wells today, "and they will
find in most cases, that the policy con
tains provision that no losses will be
paid for fires that are caused by con-
ditions which have been added since the
policy was written and over which the
company has no control. Defective and
maheshift wiring of Christmas trees
should be avoided and no change in the
wiring Of the house or hall should be
made which is not in accordance with
the building rules.
"Both young and old look forward to
Christmas as time of rejoicing and
merrymaking and in order that nothing
may mar this day, the parents and those
in charge of public halls and churches
should carefully guard Christmas trees
and other decorations. 1 want to i'm.
press upon the citizens of this state that
they should take every precaution
against fire. See to it that when a
flame bursts out you are ready and pre-
pared to fight for every second wasted
increases the danger to property and
loved ones. So remember two things:
First, be careful; second, have some
fire fighting means always ready at
hand"
The following precautions are given
to lessen the danger of Christmas fires
Don t decorate Christmas trees with
paper, cotton or othter inflammable ma
terial.
Use only metallic, tinsel or otter non.
inflammable material and set the tree
securely, so that children in reaching
for things cannot tip it over.
Do not use cotton to represent snow.
If you must have snow, use asbestos
fiber.
Do not permit children to light or
rehght candles when parents are NO
present; they frequently set fire to
their clothing instead The tree itse
will burn when needles have become
dry.
Keep matches out of the reach of
children at holiday time; they like to
experiment with them.
The light inflammabe decorations in
stores, churches and bazaars make fires
easy to start and easy to spread. A
match, gas flame, or any electrical de.
feet may do it.
Watch gas jets.
Watch smokers.
In churches or public halls be sure
the aisles are kept clear.
Portable moving picture machines not
properly handled are dangerous.
Do not make the slightest change in
electric wiring without consulting the
electrical inspector.
Christmas trees should be fastened
firmly, so that they cannot be upset.
and should not be decorated with paper,
cotton or other inflammable material.
Cotton, which is used to represent frost
or snow, catches fire very easily. The
same effect can be secured by the use
of asbestos or mineral wool, which is
safe. The candles should be placed on
the trees SO they cannot set fire to the
branches above them, and should not be
lighted by children. Before the gifts
are distributed the candles should be
extinguished. Doors should remain
closed while the candles are burning,
because of the danger from drafts
swaying the branches or blowing eur.
tains against the tree. The floor un.
der the tree should be protected by a
piece Of zinc or iron.
Don't forget that house Of merri.
ment is better than house of mourn
ing.