Pueblo chieftain., 1921-01-16
SEVENTY PER CENT
OF OUR FIRES ARE
EASILY PREvENTABLE
(by Mr.. r.. r. stronE)


The National Board of Fire Under
writer's issues the following warnings:
Never keep ashes in wooden recep-
tacles, nor pile them against wooden
boxes, barrels or partitions, either in
the cellar or outside the house.
Do not allow combustible rubbish to
accumulate in or about the house.
Beware of rags or cloths used in OIL
ing floors or cleaning or polishing fur
niture. They may ignite spontaneous
ly. Be sure and burn them after using
The same precaution should be OBJ
served regarding oily waste in the gar
age. 1t is dangerous
Never bring a kerosene can near a
stove that has fire in it, and never
you think the fire is out or not Many
people have been burned to death try
ing that experiment.
Do not use gasoline or naptha for
cleaning except in the open air, or at
least in front of an open door, and be
sure there Is no fire or open flame of
any kind within the room. or an ad-
Joining room, or even on tho floor
below. Tho vapor of such fluids when
mixed with air forms an explosive
mixture that is exceedingly dangerous.
Tho vapor is heavier than air and will
surface or down flight of stairs like
water. 1t may travel a considerable
distance from the gasoline itself. and
If It comes in contact with the fre of
Any kind it will instantly ignite and
Nash back all the way to the source of
supply. This dangerous feature of
gasoline should be fully understood
Do not wash things in gasoline
Such agitation is liable to produce a
spark Of static electricity to ignite the
vapor. This danger is especially to be
Euarded against in cleaning silk Never
rub silk briskly when cleaning with
gasoline. Numerous fires and loss of
ITO have resulted from sparks gem
eEAxsd IN this way. Gasoline, and espe-
chrly naphthA. aids in production of
Ths fact that careless handling of
gasoline during the year 1913 in the
United States was responsible for
over 1000 persons being burned to
badly injured to say nothing of great
property loss, ought to be sufficient
argument to persuade any reasonable
person OF the necessity for observing
the precautions hero given There is
no rcaeon to suppose the annual death
rate from this cause has materially de-
creased since that date.
Do not uso any matches except safe
ty matches. The practice OF throwing
matches into waste baskets both in
and causes many fires
Do not throw burnt matches on the
floor or into waste baskets. and never
throw away n burnt match until you
are absolutely sure it holds no spark.
Do not allow children to havo
matches, much less play with them.
Do not so into closets with lighted
matches or candles. II necessary to
have a light, keep an electric torch for
such purpose.
Do not decorate a Christmas trco
with paper, cotton, or any other in
flammable material. Use metallic tinsel
and other non-infiamablc decorations
only. Uso asbestos fibro to represent
snow instead of cotton.
Do not allow Christmas trees to re-
main inside buildings after the holi-
days. Tho tree itsolf isnitcs readily
when the needles become dry. \ large
number OF fires occur in January from
this cause
Do not thaw frozen water or gas
pipes by applying a torch or open
fiamo of any kind Wrap loosely with
cotton cloths and pour on hot water,
or send for plumber.
II tho smell of gas is strong IN a
room. first open all doors and win
dowa, and then seek tho leak Never
stop a leaking pipe or fixtures with
wax or putty, adhesive tape. cork.
wooden plug, or other nakeshift, eI-
cept as an emergency stop pending
permanent repairs. Send for n plumber.
II Hight is not needed elsewhere in the
house. IL would be safer to cut off the
supply 1t tho meter.
II electricity IL used, inspect the
wiring carefully wherever exposed. II
you find the insulation ragged any
where, or IL you have doubt whether
tho wiring is in safo condition. call
An electrician and havc 1t put in con-
dftton so no can approve IL Do not
tAke tho chance of having . ffre give
you tho hrst warning that electrical
hazards exist.
Do not pIlo soft coal against a fur
nace wall or near IT Soft coal Is liable
to spontaneous ignition. and heat in
creases the hazard. Always keep soft
coal piles as shallow possible. bet
ter not to exceed or feet high.
TAe Family Garage
Never allow open fame lights IN a
hninS tho tank so that gasoline va
pors will dissipatn.
Do not keep quantities Of gasoline or
calcium carbide inside of garage or
dwelling. An approved underground
storage tank is tho safest way of keep
ing gasoline.
A metal waste can should be located
1t convenient place outside the
garage for all waste and grassy rags
Burn these every week
1t is unsafe to u5o sawdust or ahav-
ings to absorb crease and oil in a
garage. II tho floor is wooden scrub 1t
occasionally with hot water and lyc.
Tho uso of gasoline for cleaning