Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-10-07
CAMPAIGN TO
CUT fire Loss
MAPPED OUT
National Prevention
Week To Be Carried
On In Brownsville
AS Over Nation

National fire prevention week will
be observed in Brownsville begin
ming Sunday and closing Saturday
night, October IS, as It is through
out the nation.
An educational program tending to
provide a working knowledge Of fire
prevention is being carried on in
the schools and this educational
matter has been prepared by some
OF the largest fire insurance COM
panies in the world.
One of the greatest aus for
fires. according to men who have
studied the situation for many
years, is carelessness and the pro-
gram is designed to prevent this.
In many homes OF Brownsville,
fire department officials said, cell
lars and attics are being used for
the storing Of old papers and other
material which is highly inflam-
mable.
AS the first step in fire proven
ton. residents Of this city have
been requested to clean these store
rooms and all other places in which
refuse is stored.
Losses Climbing
A warning has also gone out urg-
ing people to use flashlights instead
of matches where light is needed
and electricity is rot available.
Comparative figures show that in
1922 the aggregate fire loss in the
United States amounted 10 approx
mately s506. Sal ,001. In 1928 it was
~S535.372.7 1872 and in 924 il had crept
still higher until it reached approx
imately s549,062 ,124.
The 1925 fire losses, according to
figures compiled by the National
Board Of Fire Underwriters, reach
ed the staggering total Of S559,42s,-
$50. Figures Of losses during 1925
and 1927 mounted by the same pro-
portions, il is said.
Fire has not only destroyed mil
lions of dollars worth Of property
annually but MANY lives have been
lost in conflagrations that might
have been prevented. according 70
n survey recently made Of the situa-
ton.
Caution Urged
In this survey. classification
shows that 81 per cent OF the
deaths by fire and IS per cent Of
the injuries occur in dwellings; THAI
20 per zen Of the deaths and &c
per cent of the injuries result from
fires ignited by open flames; that
is per rem OF the deaths and IL
ger cent Of the injuries follow
fires originating from defective
heating devices: that % per cent
OF the deaths and % per sent OF
the injuries are The result of i'm
proper use Of flammable lights.
Brownsville residents are urged 70
see that all cause Of fire is re-
moved from their residences and
business buildings.
Flues should be cleaned before
winter fires are lighted and a check
of electric wiring should be made,
IL II said.
Brownsville housewives are urg-
ed to handle with care all inflam-
mable LIQUID used in their homes
for cleaning or any other purposes
and TO use proper discretion in the
lighting OF gas or any other type
OF fires used in heating and cook
ing stoves.
So far. il is said. Brownsville has
had an exceedingly low fire loss
for a city OF its size and in order
that this record might be held in
tact. the residents Of the city are
urged TO join in the observance Of
fire prevention week and see that
their respective homes are placed
in order. Fire Insurance should be
purchased or policies examined 10
see that they are in effect.
This city has an efficient fire
fighting force. according 70 observ-
ers who know the measure OF such
organisations. but the fire depart
ment's service begins only after the
fire has started and for that rea-
son IL is urged that all join in the
removal OF the caus in the interest
Of life ard property.