The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-17
By FIRE MARSHAL LAHEY

In line with the practice and custom of former years the National Fire Protection Association of Bos- ton, Mass, through its able and pro- gressive executive secretary, Percy Bugbee, has again interviewed the Fire Marshal of Waterbury, in its efforts to protect the public from fire during the Christmas holidays. The National Fire Protection Asso- ciation is recognized by fire officials as one of the greatest institutions of its kind in the country, and MT. Bugbee himself is considered about as instructive on fire questions as any particular individual in this part of New England. It is to National Fire Protection Association that we look in time of trouble, plus the ad- vice and instruction we receive from the learned chief engineer of the Board of Fire Underwriters, George W. Booth and the well known T. Alfred Fleming. It is really these men who extend to the wise and far seeing fireman, the hand of friendship, and guidance in the various perplexed questions that oft entimes have to be discussed and decided by the attaches of the Fire MarshalS office.
 The Gospel
 We know that when MT. Bugbee tells us to go forward at this Christ mas season and again preach the gospel of fire prevention, he must be worried lest repetition of hap penings of former years will take place, not that we here in Water bury have suffered seriously, but in some places always during the holi- days, new and different fire hazards come into our homes along with the good cheer that represent the Christmas spirit.
 MT. Bugbee was here only short time; he couldn't stay; but he was here just long enough to instruct us to write and tell the public of Waterbury that we still have fire hazards as dangerous as they were in the old days, when fire depart ments lacked the supervision and authority that they now possess un- der the state and local laws
 ''Tell your people, Marshal" he said, that we of the National Fire Protection Association say that hun dreds of fires occur annually at this season of the year on account of lighted candles being set in win dows with lace curtains waving over them. And tell them, too, that Christmas trees dry out quickly if kept in heated house; in 3 or 4 days they will burn as rapidly as paper; this drying out process may be slowed down a little by setting the base of the tree in a pan of water or in bucket of moist earth; the tree should always be firmly an- chored."
 Law on Sales
 "What about that proposed city bylaw regarding the sale of Christ mas trees, Marshal; have you been able to get it through the council? I regard that as up-to-date legisla- tion, and so phrased as to merit copying its language for future con- Sideration on our part"
 MT. Bugbee was informed that the proposed law was still under con- sideration, but would probably be in operation a year hence.
 Here in Waterbury, during our ir- spections, we have found old dried up Christmas trees in cellars as late as the middle of summer. Many fires are caused each year because trees are not removed soon enough. Some are put in the basement where they join other rubbish that one day will be ignited by an overheated furnace or by some chance spark. We appeal to the people this. year to turn over their old trees to the rubbish col- letorS right after they have been discarded
 In relation to electrical fixtures, we are advised by the Waterbury electrical inspector, Martin O'Rourke that those little colored bulbs get real hot after they have been burn ing, awhile. And furthermore that while 8 new set of lights may be reasonably safe, an old set with the insulation worn of, and loose Soc- ketS and faulty connections, may be- come as serious a hazard as can- dleS. Those tinsel "icicles" can easily short circuit bare wiring and start fire, even if the wires themselves do not cross. The fuse Is the safety valve of your electrical system; at this time 1t is likely to be overheated by the use of new electrical gadgets, toys the tree, window lights and such like. This overload may cause the fuse to blow out. If it did not