The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1919-05-22
fire PRINCIPAL
DANCER TO AUTO
Owner Should Have Extinguisher
Handy and Keep Close Watch
on Electrical System.
SWEEP GARAGE FLOOR OFTEN
Gasoline Tank Should Never Be Filled
II There 10 Open Flame Near
Go Over Connections to Die.
cover Any Leak.

Fire is really the greatest danger
with which the motorist has to cope.
Not that automobiles are in the habit
Of catching fire regularly, but the fire.
when It does come, Is sudden and un-
heralded. Furthermore the everyday
handling Of gasoline makes one care
less. warning In itself that Is seldom
needed. There are SO many ways in
which car can catch fire that II Is
the duty Of every rnotorist to see that
all possible steps are taken to prevent
such accidents. A few suggestions
follow that may assist in warding OF
the danger. ~
Keep Fire Extinoulsher Ready.
First Of all have fire extingulsher
and keep II ready at all times for use.
Many motorists carry them on their
cars and thus reduce their insurance
rates. This is the best practice, but
an extra extlnguisher In the garage
is never out of place. The small, com
pact pump type Is advised, rs 1t Is the
best for fighting gasoline or. oil fires
and can be used safely around elec-
trical appa1atus. Some owners have
nm idea that the solution used In these
extinguishers can be used for clean
ing purposes, but Its use for this pur-
pose. even II practicable. is hardly
wise. The extra few drops may mean
lot should the car catch fire on the
rond.
Do not let oily rags or waste lie
around the garage. Keep them In
metal container and sweep the floor
often. 1t prevents the spread of fire.
Keep the engine clean, especially the
sod pan. See that there Is a small hole
In 1t under the carburetor drip. II
there is none by all means make one.
Keep Flame From Tank.
Never All the gasoline tank with an
open flame near. Likewise see that
the funnel used makes metallic con-
tact with the tank. 1t has happened
that static electricity generated by
the gasoline flowing through the fun
mel has sparked the tank and caused
serious explosion. Make sure that
the tank does not leak. particularly
when the tank is located under the
cowl 1t Is well to go over all gaso-
line connections occasionally to detect
any leaks.
Install a gasoline shut-off where II
can be readily reached. Some cars
have them In an out-of-the-way place
that Is difficult to reach In an emer-
gency. Always shut of the gasoline
i when leaving the car In the garage.
This Ia even more important when an
open-type coal stove is used for heat
ing the building. A strainer should
also be Installed In the feed pipe II
| there is none on the GER. and sediment
| should be removed once month.
The electrical system should also be
| watched and the connections kept
| tight, for a loose or grounded wire
may start a fire. When cleaning the
| engine with a brush use one with no
metal parts; short circuit caused by
the metal on the brush may ignite the
gasoline used In cleaning.
Should fre start In the carbureter
shut of the gasoline and start the en-
CINE, a. racing It will soon draw all
| the gasoline from the carburetor. Sand
| can be thrown at the base Of the flame,
and when using the extinguisher squirt
II through the radiator without raising
the hood.
The last susgestion 4 not the least