Evening journal., 1918-12-24
ouR nEApLIEsT HOLIDAY.


~ 1IIRISTNAS fires have not been nearly common and
~ so destructive in Wilmington since electric lights
so largely superseded oil and candles for holiday ium
nation purposes. But at that, constant guard
should be kept against Christmastree and Christmas
decorations fires.
With such abundant reason for this Christmas TO bo
the memorable the nation has known. do not
mar 10 in The usual manner by allowing lives and prop
ery TO be destroyed by preyentable fires That is the
substance Of the seasonal message from the National
Board OF Fire Underwriters.
Let all Of in 1918. the board says avoid the
essness with open lights and nnammable decorations
that has resulted the appearance In the papers the
days following past Chrstmases Of such items as hese
"John D. Williams. his wife and three children were
terribly burned Christmas Eve and the youngest Of
the children little girl of four years. has already died.
tho others may survive although with permanent dis
fgurement. The fire was caused by The falling OF
Christmas tree candle from an insecure holder into
pile Of cotton snow at the base Of the tree"
"The beautiful home Of Henry Brown. I92 East Main
street. was completely destroyed last evening and Mr.
Browns family had narrow escape. Inhammable
Christmas decorations coming in contact with an over
heated radiator supposed TO have been the OF
the fire. which did not break out until after the family
had rOtired for the night"
"Christmas festivities were overshadowed by yester
days tragic occurrence in tho four-story apartment
building at the corner Of Seventh street and Centre
avenue In Arthur Smiths apartment. the second
floor a gas fixture had been hung with tissue paper
decorations and when Mr.. Smith undertook light the
gas the blazing matchhead flew off into the hangings
which blazed at once into fire. BY of the cut
paper streamers the flames communicated TO all
parts Of the room, where they found abundance Of
combustble material, and the halls and starways
were abaze shutting of the escape Of those who
on the upper floors. The fremen have already taken
nine bodies from the ruins"
"The Christmas festival at the Methodist Episcopal
Chapel resulted fatal burning Edward Johnson, who
assumed the role Of Santa Claus in distributing presents
10 the children inadvertently too Of the
lighted candles the big tree and his costume instantly
took Several of those present suffered burns
to their hands In attempting to tear of the flaming
garments but Il was found that Mr. johnson had in
hailed the flames and his death followed inside Of an
hour"
Il is clear that these accdents are unnecessary and
without doubt the product OF wholly ayoldabe but
eminenty characteristic American carelessness. How
ever If further evidence be needed II is furnished by
event Of last year. The American Red Cross conduct
ing great membership drive. conceived the idea Of is
suing red of paper which, it announced,
should be placed in windows and illuminated with lighted
candles Those who made the suggestion quite uncon-
sciously overlooked the fact that fire hazard of the
first magnitude would thus be created. The National
Board Of Fire Underwriters called the attention Of the
Red Cross authorities TO this condition and the latter at
once sent out warnings accompanied by recall Of the
suggestion to all Of their local managers. So much
publicity was given TO the incident and general be-
came the accompanying discussion Of Christmas fire
hazards that many sections reported marked decrease
instead OF an increase in fire December % in 1877
In some cities the fire chiefs stated that for the 1rst
time in many years the day had passed without fires
from Christmas decorations.
The discussion OF the Red Cross suggestion served
also to emphasize with beneficial results the lesson Of
carefuness the Southern States where Christmas
associated with the use Of gunpowder.
What done one year. to comparatively small
degree might also be done in all years to very large
degree people could be made TO realize the great and
totally unnecessary hazards of certain holiday practices
BY nt Of education the Fourth Of July has been
and sane and thousands OF lives have thereby been
saved Shocking to relate Christmas is distinguished
as deadest holiday This is circumstance. how
ever, which the public remedy at viii
Think Il oyerl
Guard against such dsastersi
Take no chance Of converting your home Of happiness
| into a home Of grief