Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-04-18
FIRE PREVENTION
Week in Maine from
April 81 to 26

Insurance Department Issues Call to
Every Man, Woman and Child to
Help Prevent Fires and Loss Of
Life
People are urged to observe Maine
Fire Prevention Week April Il TO
26. The insurance department OF the
State issues the call to every man,
woman and child t o help prevent
fires and the loss of life. Three mil
lion dollars of property destroyed by
fire last year, 60 per cent OF which
could have been prevented. 1t IS
hoped that fire drills will be held IN
all schools. factories and institutions
and that instructions may be given
on the danger of fire and h SIM
pie means to prevent. Statistics
! show that Maine is the fifth State
| from the highest in loss by fires. IN
| other words, the loss per capita IS
$2.97, while the average loss per nre
is $620.69. The average loss per cap
tia in the United States is $2.10. Sta
! tistics show for the country that
| there has been a loss of $50. 1885, 54 by
strictly preventable fires $780, SOC, 293
| by partly preventable fires and $4S,-
! 632, 993 by unknown fires that were
| probably largely preventable.
Ashes-Kecp them in metal bar
rels, never in wooden or paper con-
tatnerS.
Oil Rags or Waste-Put IN metal
J cans or boxes only-burn every
/, night.
Rubbish-Do not allow to accumu-
late-off to the dump with them.
Chimneys-Have them examined
occasionally-keep them clean.
Gasoline-Do not. keep it in the
building-always dangerous.
,ectric Irons-Turn of the current
when ironing is done.
Fire Extinguishers-Keep them in
good order, ready for use.
Stairways-Keep closed and clear.
| don't build shelves or brackets.
Stovepipes-Securely rivit-run de
rect to brick chimneysCnever wood.
Steam Pipes-Keep clear from all
wood or combustible materials.
Aisles of Good Width-keep them
| clear Of ill distractions.
| Parlor Matches-Don't Use Them
The safety match prevents fires.
Fire Doors and Shutters-Keep
them closed ut night-use metal
frames.
Doors Of all Public Buildings
! Should swing outwards-saves loss
Of life.
Open Flue Holes-Brick them up or
cover with sheet of metal.
The moving pictures of Maine can
do as much as n other single
agency to aid in the observance of
Fire Prevention week, according to
Hon. G. Walden Smith, the State
insurance commissioner.
1.-THE week beginning April q, has
been designated as Fire Prevention
week." said Mr.. Smith. in discussing
this subject yesterday. Governor
Nilliken has issued a proclamation
to that effect and the week will be
given that designation in all the
cities and towns. In this. Maine is
cooperating with all the other states.
The campaign to educe the fire haz-
ard is being conducted through the
many local fire departments. school
and town and city authorities. hut
we went the cooperation of the NOV
ing picture theaters as we'll.
1.-The managers of the theaters.
in the precautions they have adopt
ed for their projecting machines and
in the safe arrangement Of their
houses have done a wonderful work.
I now hope that the manager OF
every theater will use lantern slides
some time during the regular shows
tc call the attention Of the public to
the great work that car be done. \
simple statement that care should
be used in the disposition Of rub-
Dish and that such care would re-
suit in the saving Of thousands Of
dollars would be of immense help.
Other suggestions will occur to the
theater mer and I hope they will aid
the State officials in this work. BY
backing up the great help given nv
the newspapers through which this
appeal is issued. much good is
bound to result. :