Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-05-03

getting returns for every one than the
enthusiastic cooperative action by the
entire community in so vital cause.
Clean up week makes for more
slightly and healthful city and results
in fire prevention. And it is the last
proposition thus presented that deeply
and intensely interests the insurance
department of Maine.
+ The removal of rubbish. clean up of
buildings, yards, fire places, chimneys
and other fire menacing points is
much greater factor in conserving
property and life from fire than is gen
orally appreciated by those unfamiliar
with the subject.
Human mortals will be careless.
Two-thirds of our fire loss and re-
sultant injuries and deaths are due to
carelessneSs.
To change the national habit of care
lesSness is Il slow process. Through
education the next generation may be-
come more careful. The present gen
Grafton must accept carelessness as
fact and fortify against it, so as to re-
uuce the loss of life and property.
Carelessness is responsible for many
costly fires. Add to this negligence of
premises in permitting rubbish and
dirt to collect and you have a combina-
ton hard to overcome. but, just such
campaigns as the one contemplated
will stimulate getting busy with
broOms. brushes. shovels and other ar
ticles used in such work.
Investigation of fires in Maine the
past three years by the insurance de-
partment discloses the fact that a
large majority have their origin in
rubbish and dirt piles in cellars,
barns and grounds adjacent to infam-
mabfe conditions. / recently made an
unannounced inspection of the base
ments of several prominent depart
mcnt stores in one of the largest cities
of the State. Conditions wero urbc.
lIeVable and in one case the fire in
surance carried was less than one
third the value Of the merchandise.
! Despite this lighted match or cigar
cite accidentally or thoughtlessly
thrown in any part of that cellar would
Lave caused d serious confiagration
the rubbish would have exacted a toll
wholly at variance with the time and
service required to clean up" When
requested the merchant to inspect the
quarters he went white" and it needs
no assurance Of mine that thereafter a
different order Of clean up prevailed in
that establishment.
The most modern and costly sch rul
structure in Maine recently sustained
fire loss that cost two hundred thou
fn is, Il,
Papers catd boards. etc. left over
night when it should have been re-
moved tho night before or at The timc
il was collected.
At thc rpnyNnticn held last December
ny he Fire MarshaIs Aasociaiiun az
America. It vas the unanimous rp1i-
len Of tho trained experts Of the conn
try III matters relating to fire matters
that the clean mp periods na':on-Wid ,
IN observance were saving fifty mil
lions of dollars Of property and scores
OF human lives The results accom-
llished by the American people in
getting busy in voluntarily helping
! SO big Il cause mean much ia prevent
ing unnecessary waste. The most ct
fective way to secure reduced FIRE in
Sufancc NUNS IS 10 nave less HfeS /,
fire prevention * as important an
economic science as fire lighting. This
department has urged tho employment
by FIRE departments Of a "F'ire Pre-
Nention Chief whose entire time is 10
. be used for inspection work
Fire Prevention is tremendously aid
: ed by the ''cleanups- paint-ups," and
similar movements
IT is UP to every one Of us. All can
= do their share. If the real vision is
caught of its practical importance
then our community will be Spotless-
! town.