The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-04-29

1hc dlliludl Slcdii-uP' TiN-UPt
Paint-up Campaign in Detroit is
being observed from April % to
May and. as in the past, the Fire
Department takes an active interest
in the campaign in the interest OF
fire prevention. As Is customary at
this season. practically all house
holders are busily engaged In spring
cleaning and we are interested in
bringing TO their attention the prop
e.. methods of disposing Of COM
bustible rubbish. the hazards In
volved In rubbish and grass fires,
etc.
Each year during Cleanup Week,
the Fire Department Is confronted
with q problem. This Is the time
when spring housekeeping Is gen.
orally the order OF the day and
accumulations Of rubbish in the
home presents very grave fire
hazard. During the process Of house
cleaning, waste materials are re-
moved from the upper floors and
taken TO the basement and usually
left in a pile Some householders
have walls re-papered and the paper
which has been removed is also
added 10 this accumulation.
Burn Rubbish
All rubbish should be burned
before il has a chance 10 accumulate
Although housekeeping may be we'll
in hand on the upper floors, the
basement in many cases shows
definite signs of poor housekeeping
II the method OF disposing OF this
rubbish is by burning II in the
furnace. II should never be burned
above the CRATES In the heating
appliance. The objection TO this
practice is that the flimsy material
burns with such intensity that the
flames then pass through the smoke
pipe and up the chimney. setting
fire to accumulations OF SCOT and
dust that. may have gathered in
either the smoke pipe or chimney.
Hot embers are also emitted from
the chimney. This condition has
been the cause OF many roof fires
and in many instances these emberS
have been blown about in the wind
and have been the cause of several
fires in one neighborhood.
Rubbish and other flimsy material
can safely be burned in the ash
pit beneath the CRATES without caus-
ling trouble or can be taken outside
to be burned However. II rubbish
is TO be burned outside. a proper
wire mesh receptacle as specified
by law should be used. Even this
wire mesh basket should never be
placed too near frame buildings OF
fences. as the intense heat from
this type of fire may radiate to
nearby combustible material and
cause a serious fire. A good poin,
to remember is that whenever rub
bish is burned In wire basket, IL
should be under the supervision
Of responsible adult. who should
remain until the last bit OF material
is consumed and the dying embers
extinguished with pail OF water
Grass Fires
The hot ash proposition al this
time Of the year Is an even greater
hazard. Rubbish from housekeeping
is often taken TO the basement and
thrown on the ash pile which may
be close 10 or even against wooden
partitions or other combustible
materials You can readily under.
stand how easily a fire might result,
from this practice.
Another condition that offers q
serious problem 10 the Fire De.
partment in the spring Is grass
fires. II Is surprising how much
damage can be done by what seems
10 be an innocent grass fire. As soon
as the winter SHOWS are gone and
the frost is out OF the ground. the
dried grass and weeds on vacant
lots are readily ignited. A carelessly
discarded cigarette or spark OF any
kind may E, all that is necessary
70 start fire Often. too. these fires
are light deliberately by men and
women and especially childIen. II
might be we'll TO note thatuRere |,
a city ordinance gov ming the
kindling OF fires The starting OF
fires. other than the burning OF
rubbish in proper receptacles. is
prohibited by law Persons who
wilfully violate this ordinance are
subject 10 severe fines or imprison.
ment This may seem 10 be a strict
law but lack Of control over start