Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-10-12

VQlIlk lIdt lIle
legend of Pauline had a great deal to
do with our very healthy fear OF
matches and all kinds of fire. My
own children were shown the exceed
ingly graphic illustrations of the dis
aster. long before they were old
enough to understand the reading
matter, and they, too. are wise ana
wary where matches are concerned.
COME people think that impressing
~ children through fear or horror
is the wrong way to exercise control.
I think so too, IN most inStances-ln
fact in all instances except where the
actual life of the child itself is at
stake. Then I feel that no measures
are too drastic to use. If the sight
of a picture showing the heap of
ashes left by little Pauline will keep
them from the risk of fire in later life
then 1 feel that the end definitely
justifies the means.
The worst whipping I ever got in
my career was administered to me by
my mother when I was 2-because
I had persistently and calmly en-
deavored to fall out of fourth-tioor
window three times, in spite Of scold-
lngs and being told not to. Mother
decided the only thing to do was scare
me so that 1 would leave the window
alone forever and ever - which she
very successfully did. I haven't
noticed that such treatment has made
me coWardly or inhibited in any way!
Use any justifiable means at your
command to impress upon your chill
dren the danger of fire. Explain, ii
they are old enough to understand,
the inflammability of certain materials
the amazing persistence and longevity
of even small sparks, and the why's and
wherefores of spontaneous combustion.
If they are still in the unreasoning
stage use nursery rhymes and stories,
pictures that will fall within the scope
of their intelligence, and connect the
two up for them with actual matches
and flames in the fireplace or the
stove. Don't hesitate to make your
examples strong and gripping-too
much squeamishnesS might cost your
child its life.
X x j,
4 FTER having dealt with the way
to keep from getting burned. it is
a good idea to go into the matter of
what to do if, due to causes uncon-
trolleG by the child, it should become
the victim of flames. Teach him that
no matter how many older people are
about, no matter how peaceful things
appear, the smell of smoke, however
slight, should never go uninveStigated.
(The same principle should hold true
in the matter of the odor of gaS)
Train his nose to fine scents-olfactory
nerves should be developed in humans
for their own protection.
Most children nowadays are famil-
lar from babyhood with the use OF
the telephone. That is great pro-
they know enough to ask for the fire
department, and to give their address
with no panic should fire break out
in their home. 1t never hurts to have
them forearmed in this respect.
And then-flrst-aid should be part
of every mothers teaching to her chill
dren. Show the child how to fall down
and roll himself in the rug, to smother
flames. should his clothing take fire.
Teach him never to run, and fan the
fire to greater heat. Impress upon
him that, in dealing with fire in any
form, calmness and clear thinking are
essential for the preservation of life
or property. In case of a burn, tell
him sweet oil from the kitchen will