White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1930-10-03
Fire Losses
Each Year Are
Enormous
October 5 to II Designated
Fire Prevention Week
BY President

ASDANSAS
Hon. Herbert Hoover, President of
the United States, has issued procla-
nation designating the week of Octo.
Der to II as Fire Prevention Week.
The President has called upon the
people of the nation to use care and
caution whenever the danger of fire
exists. Hon. Roland H. Hartley, Coy
ernpr of the state of Washington, has
also issued a proclamation covering
the same period calling particular
attention to the loss of life and prop
erty from fire in our own state.
In accordance with the Presidents
proclamation and in compliance with
asking for your assistance in curb
ing this terrible menace. Every per-
son whether adult or youth has a
personal responsibility to perform
in order to live up to the standard
of good citizenship. Fostering worthy
traits of character-and none is bet
ter than saving life and protecting
property, is the duty and ought to
be the ambition Of every loyal citizen.
Last year in the United States,
more than 500 millions of dollars
worth of property was destroyed by
fire. But worse than this, was the
casualty list from the same source.
More than 10000 persons, mostly
woman and children had their lives
snuffed out by the ravages of fire
and some 10000 were manned or Grip
pied during the same period Of time.
This loss is largely due to care
lessness. 1t is estimated that approx
mately 80 percent of all fires occur
ing in America are the direct result
of some form of carelessness and
could easily have been prevented had
proper precautions been taken.
An examination of the records as
on file in our office in Olympia
show that the more prolific causes
of fire are Carelessness With Gig
arettes, Cigars and Matches, Heating
Appliances Ashes, Sparks, Defective
Wiring and Defective Electric APP
planes. Carlessness with. Gasoline,
Kerosene and other Volatile Oils
are responsible for the loss of the
major portion of life by fire.
Every year thousands of homes
are destroyed by fire. Your home
may be next. Cigarettes and Cigars
should never be thrown away until
all fire on the end is put out. Chill
dren should never play with matches,
clothing is easily ignited but hard
to put out once afire. It must be
remembered it does not take much
fire to destroy human life.
Under no circumstances should
gasoline or kerosene be used to help
kindle fire. These liquids are very
high explosives and frequently flare
back causing entire families to lose
their lives. Gasoline should not be
used or kept in the home, not even
for cleaning purposes. 1t has much
more explosive power than dynamite.
Chimheys should be cleaned at
least once year. Stove pipes should
be securely fastened. Stove pipes,
stoves, and furnaces when defective
should be repaired or replaced with
new ones. Electric irons and other
electrical appliances should never be
left with the current turned on. When
a fuse plug blows out do not put pen
ney or other metal substance behind it.
Throw it away and replace it with
a new one.
Ashes should never be placed in
a wooden barrel, box or on the floor.
Ashes have been known to set fire
after 4S hours. A metal container
should be provided or else remove
them from the building.
Matches should be kept in place
where they can not be reached by
children. Clothing or other inflam-
nable materials should not be hung
near or over the stove to dry. They are
easily ignited. Rubbish and litter
Of all kinds should not be permitted
to accumulate in clothes closets,
attics, or basements-such things are
breeders of fire. Make a study of
the things that cause fire, then lend
yourself to the elimination of the
many hazards. 1t may be the means
Of saving your home or the lives of
your own dear ones from destruction
by the Fire Demon.
Remember, you have resposibil-
ity and it should be taken seriously.
Yours very truly,
H. o. FISHBACK