Evening journal., 1921-10-05
URGE CAUTION
TO AVERT FIRE
Reliance Co. Calls Mayors
Attention TO Unnecessary
Losses
EXECUTIVE ISSUES
PROCLAMATION

Mayor Harvey was called on today
by a delegation composed OF Chief
Lutz. Thomas F. Flanagan and John
F. Kane. accompanied BY W. F. Rid
ings. as messenger. and delivered to
him the following communication
relative 10 Fire Prevention Week.
now being celebrated.
The members of the Reliance
Fire Company wish to call, through
you. public attention to the fact that
the annual fire loss Of this country
is $3.50. 100000. Fifteen thousand
lives are annually lost in fires. Most
Of these fires come from the simplest
possible causes. a lighted match
thrown careiessly away. hot ashes
left TO smOlder in dangerous places,
carelessness with electrical appli-
ances. stoves and household utensils
II the people will join us during fire
prevention week by eliminating fire
hazards, we can save lives and prop
erty in the coming year.
Respectfully submitted,
RELIANCE FIRE CO.,
ID. A. McGranary, President" ="
Declaring that tho shortage OF
housing facilities is an added induce
ment for conserving OF resources in
this respect. since rs per cent Of all
fires have their inception in homes,
Mayor Harvey yesterday issued a
proclamation calling upon all Will
mingtonians to sincerely take part
in the general observance OF Fire
Prevention Day. next Monday
His proclamation Is:
In accordance. with the proola-
nation OF the President of the
United States Monday. october 10.
has been set apart as Fire Preven-
tion Day This is an occasion when
every American should give thought
TO the great annual waste caused by
fire. and should do everything in
his power to eliminate it.
The yearly properly damage
caused 10 the citizens Of our coun-
try by fire amounts to $3.50, 600. 600.
But, although this material loss is
very great. there is a far more men
ncing loss in the fact that annually
some $4,000 men, women and chill
dren meet their deaths in these same
fires. The pity OF Il is that nearly all
these fires are preVentabie In other
words. il lies within our own power
to eliminate the hazards that cause
this enormous drain on our re-
sources; We can save lives and prop
erty by the exercise OF proper care.
We must not think because our city
has been spared a confagration that
our fire losses are small. To the
great annual total OF the nation this
city contributes It's share The occa-
sionai small fires do not seem to re-
feet serious damage OF themselves
but a little thought will show M
THAT Together they constitute a seri
Gus menace to our community life
'1nvestieaton has shown that ap.
proximateiy 20 per cent OF al FIRE.
.cccur in the home. and this gives ar
added significance to the observanc,
'of Fire Prevention Day this year be.
cause OF the shortage Of housing &c
commodations, and. therefore, tn,
necessity Of preserving our re
sources IN this respect
With these facts in mind. I rec
ommend that Fire Prevention Da,
this year be made the occasion o.
especial and sincere efforts to pre-
vent loss Of life and property. an,
that our citizens thoroughly inspoc
their premises. remove rubbish
correct All hazards. and in genera
Institute a careful cleanup perio,
about their homes. factories an,
business places that will do ava,
with the danger OF fire among us.
Il recommend also that attention
be called to the observance OF Fir
Prevention Day In the schools o
the city. so that the children ma,
be informed OF the dangers tha
threaten the community in this re
spect and that their help may b.
enlisted as a potent factor In elimi
mating hazards.
I recommend further that ap
propriate action for the observanc
Of this day be taken by all socitie,
business bodies. and all other or
ganizations. so that there may be
general concerted effort on the par
OF our entire community TO do wha
we can to save life and protect our
selves against this Unnecessary de
efruoffo, and uraefo %