Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1922-12-20
FIR zHR
AT CHRl MAS
Plan to Keep Down All Risks al
Holiday Festivii-
ties

when all is hospitality, there will al.
ways be one thing that is never well
come, and that is Fire. Yet, fire Of
ten chooses Christmas-time for its
visit because then, in many American
homes, conditions are favorable to
it's reception. 49,. 4. r.
According to reliable estimate by
The National Board of Fire Under
writers, an average Of one in every
ten Christmas fires, last year, result
ed in fatality. This is scarcely a
pleasant thot to associate with the
Yuletide, and it is because there is
no wish to see the spirit of the obser-
vance danapened by tragedy that a
little sane advice will not be out Of
place. Some regard for tire-safety,
in preparing for the celebration, will
make the day all the happier, by re-
moving any cause for anxiety.
Christmas trees unstably set up,
sometimes near heating and lighting
fixtures, and hung with candles, con-
stitute the chief sources Of danger.
If trees are firmly erected, away from
anything that may ignite them or
their fimsy trimmings, and lighted
by colored electric lamps instead Of
dangerous candles-if they must be
administrative of the principal
causes Of Christmas fires will be re-
moved.
Candles always are dangerous and
especially so when they are placed in
windows where curtains, other drap-
cries and temporary decorations are
in proximity. If fire would be avoid
ed, no better start could be made than
by eliminating all lighted candles in
the home. Their presence is by no
means essential to the enjoyment of
the day.
Sometimes, too, Santa Claus HIM
self is responsible for fire, particu-
larly when he wears long whiskers
which may be easily ignited. If Santa
is to be present at the celebration,
his costume should be rendered as
nearly fire-resistive as possible by
spraying upon it solution of water
glass, obtainable at any drug store.
Nowadays it is easy to purchase
metal tinsel, flake asbestos and pow
dered mica for arranging snow eff
fects on and under trees, in place Of
infammable paper clippings and cot
ton. Smokers should be unusually
careful in the. vicinity of trees, and
the evergreens themselves should be
removed Immediately after Christ
mas. It is worth noting, that in Eng
land, there is belief that trees left
in the house after New Years Day
bring bad luck to the family. AS a
superstition, it is better founded than
most, since the majority of Christ
mas fires have been due to dried-out
trees.
Santa should be persuaded not to
bring toys requiring alcohol, gasoline
or kerosene for their operation, or
unsubstantial motion picture mach
ines using inflammable films. He
should avoid low-priced electrical
playthings too, since they often are
effectively wired and frequently
have insecure, dangerous connec-
tons. Such toys have caused many
serious burns and fires.
If, in spite of all precautions, some
ones clothing does catch fire, he
should be promptly rolled in a rug
or wooden cloth in order to smother
the flames, which must be kept away
from the face.
After all, Christmas dinners can
be attacked with sharper relish when
things have been so arranged that
there will be no need to call the fire
department. Besides, in all fairness
it is we'll to remember that the fire,
men have turkey dinners of their owr
to eat. Why not let them enjoy the
day, too?