Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-04-24
Owner Should Have ExtinguiSher
dandy and Keep Close Watch
on Electrical System.
SWEEP GARAGE FLOOR OFTEN
Gasoline Tank Should Never Be Filled
If There Is Open Flame Near
Go Over Connections to Dis
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 1t does come, is sudden and I'M
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 a car can catch fire that 1t Is
the duty of every motorist to see that
all possible steps are taken to prevent
such accidents. A few suggestions
follow that may assist in warding off
the danger.
Keep Fire Extinguisher Ready.
First of all have fire extinguisher
and keep it 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 extinguisher in the garage
Is never out Of place. The small, com
pact pump type Is advised, as 1t Is the
best for fighting gasoline or oil fires
and can be used safely around cleo
trical apparatus. Some owners have
an idea that the solution used In these
extinguishers can be used for clean
Ing purposes, but its use for this pur-
pose, even If practicable, Is hardly
wise. The extra few drops may mean
lot should the car catch fire on the
road.
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 small hole
In it under the carburetor drip. II
there is none by all means make one.
Keep Flame From Tank.
Never fill 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 spanked 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 1t
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 off the gasoline
when leaving the car in the garage.
This is 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 If
there Is none on the car, 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; a short circuit caused by
the metal on the brush may ignite the
| gasoline used in cleaning.
| Should a fire start in the carbureter
| shut off the gasoline and start the en-
| CINE, as racing it will soon draw all
the gasoline from the earburetor. Sand
| can be thrown at the base of the flame,
| and when using the extinguisher squirt
| 1t through the radiator without raising
the hood.
| The last suggestion is not the least
unprecedented this again.