Milford chronicle., 1922-12-22
LET THE FIREMEN ENJOY THEIR
CHRISTMAS DINNERS

While this is a season of the year
when all is hospitality, there will al
ways be one thing that is never well
come, and that is Fire. Yet, fire often
chooses Christpas-time for its visit
because then, in many American
homes, conditions are favorable to its
reception.
According to a reliable estimate by
The National Board of Fire Under
writer's, an average of one in every
ten Christmas fires, last year, result
ed in a fatality. This is scarcely a
pleasant thought to associate with the
Yuletide, and it is because there is no
wish to see the spirit Of the Observ-
ance dampened by tragedy that lit
tie sane advice will not be out of
place. Some regard for fre-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 fiimsy trimmings, and lighted by
colored electric lamps instead of dan
gerous candles-if they must be illu-
minated-twO of the principal causes
of Christmas fires will be removed.
Candles always are dangerous and
especially so when they are placed in
windows where curtains, other dra-
peries and temporary decorations are
in proximity. If fire would be avoided,
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 himsen
is responsible for fire, particularly
when he wears long whiskers, Whls-
kers which may be easily ignited' II
Santa is to be present at the celebra-
ton, his costume should be rendered
as nearly fire-resistive as possible by
spraying upon it a solution of water
glass, obtainable at any drug store.
Nowadays it is easy to purchase me-
tai tinsel, flake asbestos and powdered
mica for arranging snow effects on
and under trees, in place of inhamma-
BILE paper clippings and cotton. Smok-
ers should be unusually careful in the
vicinity of trees, and the eVergreens
themselves should be removed immed-
lately after Christmas. It is worth no
ting that, in England, there is be-
lief that trees left in the house after
New Years Day brings bad luck to the
family. AS superstition, it is better
founded than most, since the majority
of Christmas fires have been due TO
dried-out trees.
Santa should be persuaded not to
bring toys requiring alcohol, gasolene
or kerosene for their operation, or IN
substantial motion picture machines
using inhammable films. He should
avoid low-priced electrical playthings'
too, since they often are effectively
wired and frequently have insecure,
dangerous connections. 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 tiremen
have turkey dinners Of their own to
eat. Why not let them enjoy the day,
too?