French Broad hustler and Western Carolina Democrat. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1915-1916, 1916-03-09
FIRE LOSS ON THE FARM.

| Over one-half of all fire losses is
due to carelessness and easily prevent
able causes; on farms about three
fourths.
Farm property is insured at only d
small part of its value, seldom more
than t~wo-thirds, so that the losses
over and above insurance paid, are
relatively larger than in cities. The
loss of lives in fires is also larger in
the country.
These facts and the total absence of
fire protection call for the greatest
care and watchfulness on the part of
the farmers. 1
Let us consider some of these need
less and p~reventabIe fire losses in the
order of their Importance.
Lightning leads the list in number,
although it has been demonstrated
that a good lightning rod system,
properly installed and well grounded,
is an almost sure protection.
Defective fiues and stovepipes, stoves
near wood. and over-heated stoves arc
responsible for the large majority OF
farm residence fires. This is also true
o; fires reported to us as cause UNI
known" as the additional tell-tale
AuSIO II usually SANSA3
attic" or started near chimney"
+, Annually quite a number of lives
preish in these fires, sacrificed on the
altar of carelessness.
Every chimney fue should nave an
area of not less than sixty-four inches,
and should be lined throughout with
fire brick, hard burned terra Gotta, or
fre-clay fue lining.
Careful inspection and prompt re-
pald of defective t1ues. and asbestos Or
metal protection for all woodwork
near stoves and pipes would reduce
this sacrifice of lives and property to
the minimum.
Children playing with matches arc
responsible each year for quite a mum
Der of these fires, and the sacrifice of
several young lives, although matches
could and should be kept from chill
dren.
Smokers carelessness is responsible
for many of these fires. and will con
tinue to be until farmers and the;
help refrain from smoking in and
around barns and near grain, hay anG
strawstacks.
Mrs. O'Leary's COW is about the only
critter that has moved from Chicago
onto the farm. and she is up to her
old tricks, kicking over the lantern,
which, of course, could have been safe
ly hung up.
Quite a number of fires are due to
engines stationed too near stacks and
buildings.
Carelessness with gasoline calls for
its toll of lives and property; so does
kerosene used in starting and quicken
ing a fire.
Just a few prevention suggestions:
Because of the absence of all fire
protection, fireproof construction a
farm buildings, especially residences,
is of prime Importance.
Farmers are not limited to a small
building site, and it is folly to place
! the buildings so close together that
fire in one of them can make a cleal,
sweep. =
/ The time is coming when the sui
stantial farmer will plan Tor an ade-
quate water supply for domestic use
and for fire protection. All, surely,
can afford a ladder to reach the roofs,
some fire buckets and a few chemicai
fro extinguishers. which can be bought
for a few dollars.
Locking doors at night will keel
out b tramp and his dangerous pipe
The automobile should be housed in
a separate shed: so also should gaso-
hire
Most important of all. however, i:
eternal care ond watchfulness.-T. /!
Purtell. State Fire Marshal. Missouri
FIRRsPRO0F STORAGE ROOM
4 MN 1nD a Tn GUWWN en-