The diamond drill., 1919-04-26

Fire Prevention Campaign Through
out State May 1919.

designated by the state fire marshal
as one which the people OF Michigan
shall observe by general cleaning
up-of their premises.
Carelessness is the principal cause
for a large part OF the fire waste OF
this country, and the cost OF insur-
.ance is increased, naturally, by the
heavy fire losses.
Jet all our people observe cleanup
week, May 1919, by thorough
q Aaning up and removing all rubbish,
and infiammable material from their
premises, and by carefully inspecting
the chimneys. and heating plants.
All factories, theaters, public and
private institutions should be thor
oughly looked over, and all necessary
changes made Immediately that will
prevent gres, and insure the lives and
safety OF the occupants.
Let the local authorities give espec-
ial attention to better building regu-
lations, fire prevention. and where
necessary, Immediately install addi-
itional fire apparatus for fighting fires.
Cause fre drills 10 be held In all
public and private institutions, factor
(ies and schools, and let teachers in
! struct their pupils by short talks on
fire prevention.
During the year 1918 there were
1441 fires in Michigan from unknown
and incendiary causes; defective heat
ing plants and chimneys caused 3O72
fires; gasoline and kerosene were the
cause OF $40 fires; careless use or
matches and smokers, 1885, spontan-
eous combustion and rubbish, 265;
and hundreds OF other causes, making
at total OF 10.6lS fires, with a total
loss OF over s10,OOO,000.
BY the cooperation OF our citizens,
greater results along fire prevention
lines can be obtained, and !, therefore,
urge most earnestly that everything
possible be done to minimize the dan
ger OF fire, lessen fire hazards and
thus reduce the fire loss in Michigan.
Ashes should be kept in metal re-
ceptacles, and never in wooden bar
rels or boxes.
Oily rags or waste should be kept
In standard metal waste cans. and
contents removed and burned each
night.
Rubbish should never be allowed to
accumulate, in or near buildings.
Gasoline should not be kept in
buildings, and should be used only
with extreme care.
+ Steam pipes should be kept clear
from all wood and combustible mater
ial
Electricity, where improperly in
stalled, is dangerous. Lamp cords
should not be hung on nails, or wrap
ped around any pipes. Paper shades
should never be used Confer with
your city electrician where changes
are contemplated. DO not allow en-
plONeS 10 ldihptl WIN SiSNbiAN"i ~
stallations.
Stovepipes should be securely rivet-
ed and run direct to brick chimneys,
and never through floors or partitions
Protect floors under and around
stoves with brick, cement or sheet
metal.
Stairways should always be kept
closed and clear at all times; never
pile stock in front OF windows, or
against the doors, as II handicaps the
firemen in case OF fire. Fire doors
and shutters should be closed every
night, and stock should never be plac
ed so as 90 hinder the ready closing
OF these fire stops Better to use met
al CRANES and shash with wire glass.
See that all fire extinguishing APP
paratus is in good working order.
Slack and pulyerized coal will
spontaneously ignite, as will charcoal
when wet
Requiring all doors to swing out
ward. In public buildings schools,
theaters, etc, may prevent the loss
OF many lives All buildings two
stories, or over, should be provided
with fire escapes. Let every day be
Fire Prevention Day for the year 1919.
FRANK II. ELLSWORTH.
Ex-officio State Fire Marshal.
-O----
BOARD MEETS TODAY.