Great Falls tribune., 1921-12-21
CHIEF ISSUES
FIRE WARNING
FOR HOLIDAYS
Saws Christmas Celebration too
Frequently a Tragedy Be-
cause of Blaze.

Declaring that Christmas has be-
come a holiday fraught with dangers
due to the. use of highly inflammable
evergreen trees and decorations in the
homes and other places, Fire Chief A.
J. Trodick Tuesday issued statement
urging the public to be more careful in
it's holiday celebration this year. :.
"This is the season of the year"
said Chief Trodick, that should be an
occasion of universal cheer. but un-
fortunately it sometimes becomes a
time Of tragedy because of fire. People
decorate their homes with tlnder like
trees and other evergreens that often
become ignited, with serious results.
Usually the fires that occur are due
to the use of candles, although IN
other instances a disastrous blaze mas
started from defective electrical ap-
paratus.
Ono Fire in 10 Fatal
According to the record kept by
the national bonrd of fire underwrit-
ers. the service organization OF the
fire insurance companies, about one IN
every 10 Christmas fires results in
fatality.
Christmas fires occur, a case IN an
eastern city may be cited. In this in
stance a woman climbed upon a char
to light the candles OF large tree
and IN doing SO accidentally touched
her lighted match to an ornamental
paper, which flared up and ignited
other decorations. When she tried to
snatch the burning material from the
branches, she lost her balance and
pushed the tree over. Her dress
caught fire and she succumbed to her
burns few hours later.
Observance of the following pre-
cautions are urged by Chief Trodick:
EuaId dina of Tree
If tree is used make sure that it
IL securely set up so that it will not
fall over. Keep it away from heating
and lighting fixtures. ;,
Use metal tinsel, flake asbestos and
powdered mica for snow effects in
stead of the highly dangerous paper
clippings aud cotton. >,
30 not illuminate the tree with
candles.
more ornamental and safer on the
whole. A spot light focused on the
tree is the safest method and pleas
ing effect is gained. =,
Smokers should use great care with
their matches and smoking materials
while near trees and decorations.
Guard The Matches
Keep matches out of reach of small
children or they are likely to use them
q illuminate the tree.
Toys using alcohol, gasoline or kero-
seue should be avoided as should the
fIimsy toy motion picture machines us
Ing inflamable film.
7.If it is felt that Santa Claus should
be present at the celebration, the i'm
personator should avoid long cotton
whiskers and should Keep away from
open lights and fires. As an additional
precaution the costume should be made
partially fire proof by spraying it with
ing two ounces of carbonate of soda,
two ounces of ammonia carbonate, two
ounces of boric acid and five gallons o.
water.
If anyone's clothing should catch
fire, the person should be promptly
rolled in q rug or woolen cloth to
smother the flames.
Keep Water In Reach
In order to prevent the spread of
any fire bucket of water and fire
extinguisher should be kept in easy
reach.
Merchants should keep their places
of business free from rubbish and pa
per accumulations and should insist
that the employees keep all exits clear.
Large no smoking signs should be
displayed in stores and the regulation
strictly enforced.
A most important safeguard is to
remove all evergreens imm ediately af-
ter Christmas before they become
completely dried out.