Evening star., 1927-10-21
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

Timid persons who would shrink
from either deliberately jumping out
window or from hanging over and
dropping might easily be induced to
go down II they could get the feel OF
n knotted rope or something else OF
that sort.
once the family-and this includes
! pet animals-is at the door or other
| point of exit. one had best turn his
thoughts to sending in the alarm.
If two persons are available for this
work. the more active should be sem
tn ''pull the alarm" at the box, while
the other tries the telephone.
It is In this matter of sounding the
alarm that some may think our plan
| of procedure is reversed, but we be-
| lieve that q moments consideration
will show the wisdom Of getting out
| of the house, or to proper exit point
| first of all.
In case this exit should be first
floor door, 1t would be the point OF
wisdom to keep such door closed until
the actual tiale of exit, as the more
draft and air available for flame. the
faster and harder 1t burns.
1t Is only after the safety Of all
members of the household Is assured,
however, that one should turn to the
| sending in of the alarm. There is
always a probability that neighbors'
less sound sleepers, already have
turned in the alarm.
" "
The third step Is to fight the flames.
This is possible, of course, only
where the fire has not yet assumed
large proportions, which require the
large resources of the fire department.
Even the person unframed In fire.
fighting can see at glance whether
fire has or has not got beyond home
control. Flames and smoke too great
to combat by the means available In
home shortly make themselves felt.
IF it Is possible to fight them. how
ever. a person Of average intelligence
will sense this and may proceed to the
smothering of the flames with the
best means he has at hand. All fire
extinguishing is in a sense smother
ing process, either by means Of gases
formed by the spraying Of chemicals,
the deadening action Of water. or the
cloaking of the flame, IL small, by
means Of rugs.
Pans and other small objects that
burst into flames may be quickly
showed into the oven and the door
closed. thus smothering them. A fatal
action Is to grab blazing skillet and
run toward an open door with it. The
thrush of air is likely to fan the flames
back upon the unwary person.
Most households possess a garden
hose, but ordinarily it's various lengths
are not coupled, in Winter and Fall.
and 1t is not coiled ready for emer-
gency. Seventy.five or more feet of
hose. hitched to faucet in the base.
ment and kept for quick unrolling,
might prove a valuable ally in case
Of fire.
Various forms Of extinguishers are
upon the market. and these have the
advantage that their spray does not
offer a path for electricity, as does
water.
If the household can combine the
three steps here outlined, and execute
all three simultaneously. the acme of
home defense will have been attained.
These are all preparations which 1t
Is hoped no one will ever have to
avail themselves OF: the ideal fire
extinguisher. for instance, Is one that
will never he used. AS a last word
the advisability of keeping fiashlight
always loaded and ready in the bed.
room is suggested