Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1916-12-14
Strickland Warns
Against Fire Risk

The crowded condition OF the
stores and the increased quantity Of
inflammable material exposed dur
ing the Christmas season renders it
important to the display man that
the electrical wiring in the vicinity
of his display shall be practically de-
void of hazard and that the nature
of his decorations and their arrange
ment shall be such as to reduce to
minimum the danger of fire from
electrical or other causes.
In the furtherance of these objects,
the display men in many of the larg
er cities are actively cooperating
with the electrical inspectors in their
effort to exclude hazardous electrical
features in connection with such dis
plays, and are eliminating the use of
cotton batting and other material of
a readily inflammable nature for dec
orative purposes.
1t is now generally recognized that
the careless commingling of glaring
lights and inflammable merchandise
constitutes an Objectionable rather
than an attractive feature, and the
general substitution of safer and
more pleasing modes of illumination
in show windows and display rooms
is proof of the fact that there is no
real conflict between the demands OF
safety and the aim of the displayman
to exhibit his goods to the best pos
sible advantage.
Owing to the more prevalent use
of lamps of high candlepower, the
danger which always attends the ex-
posure of paper shades or other com
bustible material to the heat of in
candescent lamps has been greatly
increased. This danger is always
greater in show-window enclosures
or other confined spaces where the
ventilation is poor. To avoid such
risk it is, therefore, necessary that
all inflammable merchandise or dec
orations be kept at a safe distance
from lamps and sockets.
1t is undesirable to use tinsel or
other metallic decorations in the i'm
mediate vicinity of lamps as they are
liable to work their way into the
sockets and cause fire from short
circuiting.
Wires used as supports for mer-
chandise are liable to become alive
if attached to lighting fixtures from
which current may leak. 1t is, there
fore, important that all wires and
supports used for this purpose shall
be suspended from structures that
are mechanically secure and not liza
BILE to electrical arrangement. ~
1t is especially desirable that all
temporary wiring in the vicinity of
the display shall be mechanically
and electrically secure and kept out
of reach of the careless or inquisitive
shopper.
AS many fires in show windows
and display rooms are caused by
small defects in the wiring not read
lily observed by inexperienced per-
sons, or from the use of electrically
operated specialties and signs of un-
approved design, 1t is very important
that the inspection authorities should
be consulted in respect to the safety
of such wiring and devices before
any attempt is made to operate them
electrically. In brief, it is only
through united action on the part of
those who have an immediate con-
Germ in safeguarding the interests of
the merchants and the public that
the danger of fire from defective
electrical display lighting features in
the stores can be avoided, and to that
end the cooperation of the display
men is earnestly and cordially So
licited. A. L. STRICKLAND,
TnunaotiOn nant Citv Of Aehlond