The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1921-11-17

prepared by the United States Department
of Agriculture)
Every time there is fire on farm
1t takes away value that never can
be replaced. Either the owner must
be deprived Of what may have been
the fruits Of 20 of the best years of
his life. or the insurance company
will be called upon for check, which
has to come out of the premiums paid
by himself and other property owners.
If there are many fires, the insur-
ance rates increase. In mutual COM
panies, which carry large proportion
Of farm insurance, the increase is i'm
mediately felt. In recent year there
were more than $4,000 farm fires in
the United States, entailing a loss Of
more than $1S,0OO,OOO, of which SO per
cent was held to have been prevent
able.
Strive to Prevent Fires.
Prevention Of fires was made
special subject of consideration in
churches, schools, public gatherings,
and farm organizations for an entire
the accumulation Of many years tied
up in his buildings, may well make
every week fire-prevention week.
According to the United States De-
partment Of Agriculture, practically
every fire Is preventable, except those
caused by lightning or of incendiary
origin. Even when the best proven
tive measures fail and fires break out,
preparatory measures will put the
farmer and his neighbors In better
shape to subdue them.
Every fire must have an initial
flame, whether it be from carelessly
thrown match or cigarette, an ex-
plosiOn of kerosene or gasoline, an
explosion of grain dust In a thrash
ing machine, or sparks from sooty
chimney or passing engine.
Matches never should be left loose
or within the reach of children. Put
them In noncombustible containers
and have pocket match safe. Better
yet. use safety matches. which can be
scratched only on the box.
Smoking never should be permitted
around the barn or In the vicinity of
inflammable matter. Matches, cigar or
cigarette stubs never should be
thrown where they can do harm.
Kerosene and gasoline are useful
servants, but destructive when let
loose.
They should be rigidly confined and
never allowed to mix or change places.
Kerosene lamps should be solid Of base
to prevent tipping over. If they are
of metal. there is no danger of their
breaking and splitting oil. The wick
should fit tightly to prevent vapor
from the bowl reaching the flame and
igniting. They never should be filed
In the presence of an open flame.
Gasoline cans should be easily dis
tinguishable from Kerosene cans. II
Is better ia store the gasoline In a
buried tank. At least the tank should
be away FROM buildings Vapor never
should be allowed to escape In close
room or where there Is any fire.
Stoves Cause Many Fires.
Overheated stoves and flues cause
many fires. Cbimneys should be built
from the ground If possible, and should
not be attached to any of the frame
work Of the building so there can
be uneven settling. They should be
clear Of the woodwork and should al
ways be kept clear OF SCOT.
Stovepipes should never pass
through inaccessible places like a
closet or garnet. II they must pass
through the wall. see that the stove
pipe hole is provided with a good
"thimble" Where walls and ceilings
are near the pipe cover them with
metal or asbestos. Every stove should
have piece of sheet metal under II
to protect the floor from hot ashes
and live Goals.
Never leave infiammable rubbish
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