Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1922-12-21
NOW TO PREVENT FIRES
CHRISTMAS SEASON

has issued a warning IN Connection with
Christmas observance TO prevent fires.
us rrres that the old custom of plac-
inc a lighted candle in the candle hold
-, he dispensed with and that great
care Re exercised in mounting Christ
,,.s trees. Toys involving the use
,rs-osene or alcohol should be avoid
% he holds. TO reduce fire hazards. :
Ais statement follows:
The Christmas season, which always
ou.-. ro be an occasion of ioy. fire.
.,r.-.. becomes time of tragedy be-
cans. # the fact that the majority OF
r.~.... Ids are unaware of the dangers
vr.. company tire holiday celebra-
,.- This article is sen to the press
CIV Virginia in an effort 70 inform
r.. general public of the causes of
disaster which have brought sorrow
and f-rerarable loss to thousands of
homes.
TOR weeks prior to the Christmas
day. the stores of our cities and towns
are crowded. Have you ever thought
of what might happen if even a small
FIRE took place? In one of our cities,
while some five thousand purchasers
were in a department store, boy on
the street dropped a lighted cigarette
through the grating in the sidewalk.
lit on some merchandise in storage
room. Soon a small fire started. Very
fortunately the fire chief Of the city
had assigned one of his men to duty
in al. stores doing a heavy Christ
mas trade. The fireman at once ex-
trru'-r-i the blaze, and probably saw
e. N lives Of thousands who would
hay- '.cf in ranic or flame. See your
fire CHIEF about supplying men to the
crowded shops.
The Christmas celebration to which
the children lock forward, should be
planned with great caution. The old
habit oe placing candle in the win
dow has turned many a home of Joy
into gloom The draft Of air from an
o7oH window or door blows the cur
tain against the candle, from which
il take, FIRE, endangering the home
In cnlcavorinG to extinguish the blaze,
personal clothing ignites which often
costs the victim his life. In some in
stances the candle is left burning all
evening. while members Of the family
are attending outside celebrations The
fire when the candle burns to the end,
and from this the home is consumed
Moral. Don't allow the use of the
"candlc in the window" and advise
your friends against the custom.
II YOU have a Christmas tree, it
should he mounted on firm base, as
no one knows the strain it may be sub
lectct TO during its USE Place it in
section Of the room away from heat
Ing AMI Lighting fixtures. Use fake
asbestos and powdered mica for snow
effects, rs these will not burn. Cotton
and paper decorations are very dan
gerouS. The tree should be illuminat-
ed with small electric light bulbs. Can
dies on Christmas tree are unusually
hazardous Call an electrician II con-
meet your electric lights Ornaments
for the tree should be of metal. Pa
per NyraIin. or celluloid decorations
are very inhammable and will ignite
al a comparatively low temperature.
lows involving the use Of alcohol,
gasoline or kerosene should be avoid
ca ana ,oW-prced electrical playthings
should re viewed with suspicion, since
''eF are often insecurity wired or finn
SLY constructed. In recent years,
number OF small motion picture pro-
e''io0S have been placed on the mar
"' Is Christmas toys. Very disas-
"O0> results have followed. as all
N'l' or film discarded by exchanges
arg t'ea in their operation, without
, ".y knowledge of their high infiamma-
''"". Ii would be difficult to place a
more 'anrorous combination in the
hands Of children.
1"'.s''naS trees should be removed
..'.' me house Immediately after the
I"' ee'-'ration, as they become high
- h0'e when they dry out, from
"e neat of the room.
season Of the year in the
.'' .' store there is always an ex-
.-.'mnlation of holiday packing
materials In the home, these should
~, we'd at once In the store,
N-.-- --.v are kept for use in mack.