Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1942-10-01
Fire Prevention
Week Is Set By
Chief Executive
President Roosevelt Calls
Uncontrolled Fire A Ma
tiOnal Menace.

Earnestly requesting every citizen
to give special heed to the import
ance of taking active measures to
conserve our human and material
resources from the destructive toll
OF fire." President Roosevelt has pro-
claimed the week beginning October
A as National Fire Prevention week.
Even in normal times" says the
Presidents proclamation, "uncon-
trolled fire is national menace. It
kills or disables thousands of our
people and destroys a significant
portion of our national wealth each
year. Today when every machine is
being taxed to its fullest produc-
ton capacity, when new hands are
working with unfamiliar tools, and
when agents of our enemies are seek
ing to hinder us by every possible
means, it is essential that destruc-
tive fire be brought under strict
control in order that victory may
be achieved at the earliest date.
Nothing less than the united vigi-
lance and effort of all the people
will suffice to break the grip of this
menace"
Focus on Farm Fires.
County Agent Clyde P. Shumway
says the week selected is an espe-
cially appropriate time to focus at
tention on the prevention of rural
and farm fires because of the in
creased fire hazards due to the dry
fields and woods, the beginning of the
heating season in the home and the
fact that barns, granaries and other
buildings are crammed with hay,
grain and other products.
Since the Agricultural Extension
service has been designated by Sec
rotary of Agriculture Wickard to
assume leadership in organizing
rural America for defense against
destructive fires, Mr.. Shumway urges
all Pine county farmers and rural
home owners especially to observe
National Fire Prevention week by
checking up on fire hazards in their
own homes and premises, and taking
definite steps to see that each home
is as well prepared as possible for
coping with any fires that may start.
Keep Equipment Handy.
A good long ladder, an ak and a
wrecking bar are three important
pieces of home fire-fghting equip
ment that should be kept handy at
all times, says Mr.. Shumway. A
family first aid kit to treat burns
and injuries is important. Other
precautions which can be taken are
to have enough emergency water
storage facilities, or if water pres
sure system is available to have the
faucets we'll located with a hose
long enough to reach buildings. A
hand sprayer or mounted tank spray
er will be helpful as we'll as farm
type fire extinguisher, such as a
bottle or cylinder containing car
bon dioxide gas which can be thrown
into the blaze. Boxes or pals of
sand and a shovel should be kept
handy to smother oil or gasoline
fires.
Organize for Protection.
Panic and confusion are among
the worst handicaps when it comes
to fighting fires, so Mr. Shumway
suggests that each family organize
its members for fire prevention pro-
lection by considering what should
he dnno in, Of
older members of the family fully
instructed as to specific duties they
should perform when a fire starts.
Reporting the fire and getting assist
ance will be facilitated by keeping
a notice posted on the telephone CIV
ing directions for calling the nearest
flre department or neighborhood
leader. On electrified farms the cur
rent should be shut off when fire
starts but making sure water sup
plies are working Children should
be taken to safe spot and kept out
of danger.
A new pamphlet on preventing
fires, issued by the Agricultural Ex-
tension Service at University Farm.
st. Paul, points out that every year
fires cost rural people of the United
States more than $225, 100000 in
property damage, while about $500
persons are burned each year in farm
and rural fires. Fire Prevention
week is a good time for each farm
family to think deeply on this prob
lem and take whatever steps they
can to prevent such losses and dis
asterS.