New Britain herald., 1926-10-30
THE OBSER YER Makes Random Observations
 On the City and Its People

lawyer defending an Irish client.
 And now we come to the end of the evenings program (the poor duck tn; stuck it out deserves an engraved loving cup) and we all hop that you have enjoyed your selves at the other end of the wire (you were at least lucl5'er than I am-zyou don't have to listen) and hope to hear from you q bet we get a black hand letter from tonight's assortment) a-d so we sign off Stashun BZZV-signing off at 11:42 (don't set your watch by that, though) and we say Good night. (Better luck next time.)"
 Fire prevention, like hash and what the best show in town is, is one Of the greatest problems of the country today. 'The Hardware City" publication of the New Britain Chamber of Commerce, is therefore to be commended for the article on this subject in it's latest issue, but that exposition should be somewhat enlarged to make it absolutely clear. The most striking statement is that 5000 worth of property is burned up every minute, and a life is lost by fire every 35 minutes. Can't you just imagine the undertakers tear ing their hair if Q 35-minute period passes and nobody IS burned to death? Following are some of the safeguards recommended, with our amplifications:
 Clean property seldom burns. Now you know why your ears sometimes burn. At any rate, washing the baby may prevent her growing up to become a flaming youth
 Keep matches in metal boxes where children cannot reach them; don't bother if they are those un- lightable Swedish ones.
 Don't keep ashes in wooden boxes. Burn oil.
 Don't change your electric wiring without consulting competent electrician; you might be arrested for violating a city ordinance. Don't hang electric light cords on nails. They might break; use spikes.
 Be careful with electric flatirons. In other words, aim straight; a ! window is sight harder and more costly to replace than husband.
 Don't pass stovcpipes through ! ceilings or wooden partitions. Leave the open end in the room; the soot can be easily borne if you have the satisfaction of knowing that is not in danger of being consumed.
 Every open fire place should have a screen. This is the toughest one of all to understand; if you screen it. how is it open?
 Don't connect gas stoves with rubber hose. It is too great a | temptation toward suicide, and, be- sides, the rubber might stretch your gaT bill.
 Don't use gasoline or benzine to cleanse clothing near an open flame. , The landlord might sue you for de- struction of property. The best | Llil4lto lo IO io u blON OuJ lIlt lldlllt first.
 Don't use kerosene, henzine or naphtha in lighting fires-unless you can get out the window in nc seconds fiat. These liquids light the fire too successfully and hardly give the fire a sporting chance.
 Don't 20 into closets with lighted matches or candles. They give anyone hiding there too good a shot at you.
 Remember there Is always danger in the discarded cigarette and cigal stub. Your hand may be crushed reaching for 1t.
 Aw, what's the use of trying tC prevent fires? The firemen are gooC fellows and shouldn't be thrown ou of work. And if there are no fire how do you expect to collect on you fire insurance?