The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-17
BE CAREFUL WITH CHRISTMAS r | IRE { |S SAF FETY ADVICE
Fire Marshal Warns That Up- setting of Christma1 Tree May Turn Cheery Party
 Into One of Grief.
STATE CAPITAL BUREAU l
 THE AGE-HERALD ManiHnmarN Ala Dee IA 1

W. J. Williams, state fire marshal,
 las issued a public appeal to all in-
 forests and individuals in Alabama to do their part during the holidays in reducing fire losses to minimum in Alabama and in saving human lives. He requested that Christmas trees be securely placed so they will not top
 pie over and permit the candles to
 set fire to buildings. and that state and local laws regarding the handling of fireworks be obeyed.
 In the past the fire loss and loss
 of human lives from Christmas cele-
 brations have been great. and Fire
 Marshal Williams is hoping that pru-
 dence shown by the citizens will re-
 duce these losses this year.
 Every year, with the recurrence of
 the Christmas season, there appear in
 the columns of the newspapers
 throughout the country accounts of
 happy Christmas celebration being
 within few moments, transformed q
 into distressing tragedy through the
 ignition of a Christmas tree or other
 inflammable material because of the
 careless placing of candies." said the appeal of Fire Marshal Williams Careless handling of fireworks also
 is responsible for such tragedies, as well as the careless throwing about
 of lighted matches in rooms or other premises where great deal of in- flammable material is temporarily | present by reason of the Christmas season.
 Safety Warnings
 These tragedies can be averted
 through the exercising of a reason
 able amount of care by children and grown-ups. Christmas trees should
 be securely set 80 they will not easily topple over, and they should be To-
 cated several feet away from any
 heating or lighting fixtures. All decorations and ornaments, should be fireproof Metal tinsel, with flake asbestos and powdered mica make | excellent materials for snow effects and will not burn, while cotton and paper are highly dangerous. In the cities and towns and wherever pos sible electricity should be used for
 lighting effects. In rural districts where electricity Is not atailable and
 candles are used for lighting the Christmas trees, every care should be l taken to see that the flame of the candles Is protected from the
 br6nchess and foliage and Christmas candles placed in windows should be 1 protected in the same manner with regard to window curtains. Santa | Claus costumes where used should be made as fireproof as possible. Ii all cases q fire extinguisher or . bucket or two of water should b. kept near at hand so any fire can be
 kept from spreading. These precau- l tions should be strictly observed al all public celebrations.
 Store Precautions
 T am sure that the stores through out the state where crowds of holi. day shoppers assemble will observe i the state regulations regarding tho use of decorations and see that non. of these decorations are of an in. l flammable character Paper shades should never be used on electric I lighting globes nor should globes D, l allowed to come into contact with in. 1 flammable material of any kind. The greatest care should be taken In thu I installation of temporary electri, wiring. Accunulations of holiday | packing material should be guarded against and such accumulation should be removed at least twice eacf
 day. A rule against smoking inside l the stores should be made and en. | forced, and fire exits should be kepi open at all times"
 Rules for Fireworks
 | The fire marshal also called atten- tion to the regulations governing the handling of fireworks. Where build ing Is used for other purposes. not
 more than 25 pounds of fireworks
 may be kept when actually in uss
 and cannot be placed within 10 feet of heat or light other than electric l light. MT. Williams requested thoss who desire to sell Fireworks this year to apply to the fire marshafs de- partment for regulations governing | the handling of fireWorks