Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-10-29
SCHOOL BOY PAPER
GIVES SOUND ADVICE
ON FIRE PROTECTION
Prize Essay Contest in Seaford
Public School Brings Ex-
cellent Results.
TEXT or WINNING EFFORT


TEXT OF WINNING EFFORT
special Correspondence Every Evenjng
Seaford, Oct. 29.- Richard Miles
son OF MIR. and Mrs. J. Emery Miles
a student IN the Seaford public school
has been awarded first prize in the
e ntest among the pupils Of the school
conducted by the Flrernen's Conn a
Committee for the best srticle on
Fire Prevention
The FIVE best themes for each class
were chosen by the English Depart-
rient Of the high school. The five
best from the Senior class were those
of Lola Griffith, Thomas Moore. Grace
Coulbourn, George w. Emery, Walter
McNeilIy.
Junior class Margaret Miller, Irv-
i g Carpenter, Morrison Darbie, Mary
Lowe, William Dewitt.
Sophomore class Marion piersop
Claude Ellis. William Eizey. FRED
Neyins. Halle Short.
Freshmen class Richard Miles. Mel
lie Payne. Mollie pusey, Fannie Good
man, William Lank.
The Firemen Council Committee
consisting Of William RI. Miller. DIR
n. M. Manning and Isidore stephauv
acted as judges IN the final contest
~ unanimous choice the papar ~
Richard Miles was chosen as the best
paper on the subject. The next three
papers in order Of merit were those
q Nellie Payne. Marion Pferson ana
Margaret Miller. Young Niles paper
which captured first prize. is as FOL
lows:
Fire Prevention.
People little realize the necessity Of
hre-prevsntion until it. is too late.
They do not know that it costs the
state Of Delaware millions Of dollars
yearly, An analysis shows that So
per cent Of the fires occur in the
homes. the majority Of the causes be-
ing Of preventable nature.
Improperly constructed and unclean
chimneys, close location OF chimnevs
and furnaces to partitions and walls
combustible and inaannnable materials
and rubbish in close contact thereto
produce a large percentage Of fires in
the home that could be prevented.
In view Of the autumn and an
preaching winter months, all heating
equipment and stoves should be ex-
amined for the purpose Of correcting
defects; chimneys and stovepipes
should be cleaned and repaired If
necessary, and rubbish and waste
matter in the cellar or other parts Il
the house and premise be removed
Hot ashes should never be deposited
in wooden barrels or boxes or against
combustible material.
The burning Of rubbish. trash dry
leaves, and other waste materials and
accumuiations in the open is a pro
nounced fire hazard, especially when
not properly guarded.
At this time Of the year the practice
Is more frequently followed, and when
II IS necessary, no bonfire should be
started. Someone is in charge while
the rubbish IS burning, and all embers
ana burned fragments are later
Quenched with water to make certain
that no sparks win be blown or scat
tered about. A metal screen placed
over the fire also offers protection
against sparks being scattered about
Fires should never be started near
| buildings or wooden fences. or when
high winds are in evidence. Where
practicable, it is best to remove ac-
c1mulations of this kind to garbage
disposal land, thereby eliminating and
avoiding the dangers that exist in til.
burning Of rubbish in the open.
Have you noticed the manner in
which matches have been used? Have
you observed the thoughtless smoker
oarelessly throw away a match before
the flame had been extinguished? Has
Mr.. Oflceman ever experienced a fire
Iii his wastebasket from this cause
Are your matches kept in a safety
container away from the hands OF
children2 Do you use matches which
can be ignited only by striking upon
the box? Reflect upon these questions
Hundreds Of fires, entailing thou
sands of dollars loss and many deaths
and injuries, have been caused by
careless use of matches.
Children playing with matches
have caused untold loss and much suf-
fering, when lives were lost by fire.
Mice having on matches not kept
in a metal container stin furnishes
the reason for many fires.
If you continue the practice Of care
lessness, are you ready to replace the
many articles you may have that
money cannot replace? Are you ready
for the fire that is rapidly approach
ing your home by disregard Of timely
warning?
As each house is built. the con-
tractor is careful to select certain
locks for the various doors. catches
are placed on the windows. and the
house made secure against intruders.
You pay a certain amount of taxes
for police TO protect you against
burglars. When something is stolen
from your home there is still a chance
that the police may recover the stolen
articles
But what about a fire? When your
home has been destroyed by fire, il
YOU have been thoughtful. YOU coll
lect on your insurance policy. but
what company can pay for heirlooms
and other priceless articles. possibly
held in your family for years? BY
what magic can those valuable papers
be replaced9 Who can bring back those
children that died from Wounds What
is your answer
Just as you have provided against
burglars by placing locks on your
doors. you should provide also against
fire by placing small extinguisher
in your home and then so further.
stop the careless habits that cause
FIRE. Remove the rubbish about the
home. See that electric wiring is in
good condition. Clean up that attic.