Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1932-10-13
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Fire Takes
Heavy Toll In
Nation Every Year
Valuable Hints Given How to Avoid
Appalling Loss of Life and
Property Annually.

| This is fire prevention week. 1t is
observed each year from October 8
to ID. 1t is the anniversary of the Chi
cago fire of October 8, 1871, when, ac-
cording to popular legend, Mrs.
O'Learys COW kicked over the lantern
that started the fire that destroyed
the city with a loss of 200 lives.
Fire causes needless loss every year
of about 10000 lives and $500, 900, 900
of property. Fire prevention week is
to call public attention to the serious
ness of the fire waste and to show how
fires can be prevented.
Governor J. E. Erickson says, in a
proclamation:
Forty deaths were due to fire in
Montana during the past year Six of
those who lost their lives were under
the age of six years, In addition to this
distressing record, more than two mil
lion dollars worth of property was de-
stroyed. More than thirteen hundred
fires were reported to the state fire
marshal, of which 258 involved dwell
ings.
The removal of this great amount
Va tGhdbiN PiopNitJ iloitl bllG ESSGSS-
ment rolls increases the burden on
others, many Of whom are energetic in
preventing fires on their own prop
erty.
1T has been calculated that the fire
loss in Montana last year would buv
the textbooks and supplies and pay
the salaries of all teachers, principals
and supervisors in all of the high
schools of the state 1t would pay for
the grading, surfacing and oiling of
more than two hundred miles of high
way.
Much of the property destroyed by
fire is never rebuilt and thus the prob
lem Of unemployment is increased
when fire halts the operation Of an in
dustrial plant or business house.
From reliable sources it is learned
that rs per cent of all fires might have
been prevented by the exercise Of or
binary care"
Some Valuable Hints.
These simple suggestions, if followed
by everyone, will make your home
safe from fire.
Put lighted matches and smokes out
before you throw them away. Keen
matches where small children cannot
reach them Never smoke in the gar
age, barn, or attic nor in bed.
Remove rubbish, waste papers and
all unnecessary combustible materials
Provide metal ash and trash cans. Burn
rubbish only in safely covered brick
or metal incinerator. Watch the fire
Examine all stoves. furnaces and
smoke pipes to make sure they are
safe and well away from woodwork or
other burnable materials. Have needed
repairs made at once.
Value the advice of your fire chief
who says that many fires are caused
by dirty or defective chimneys. Have
the chimney cleaned regularly, and
have all defects repaired
Escape the danger of flammable
liquid fires and explosions by keeping
no gasoline in the house. Do dry
cleaning with safe liquids or send the
work to the cleaner. Never start fires
with kerosene.
Notify the electric company of cleo
trical trouble and the gas company of
gas leaks. Replace blown" fuses with
new ones-not pennies Avoid home
made wiring jobs Don't look for gas
leaks with a match.
Teach everyone in the family to be
careful of fire, to watch stoves, fire
places, electric irons and all other pos