East Cleveland leader. [volume] (East Cleveland, Ohio) 1942-1970, 1954-09-23
Don Be A
"Somebody" F."
For A Fire

~ D ~
If, in the next few moments,
your house should catch fire,
chances are somebody was careless
with a match or cigarette.
"These firebug 'somebodies,' says
Fire Chief Fred W. Lange," can be
blamed for one out of every three
home fires in East Cleveland dur
ing 1854.
They're the folks who unthink-
ingly toss away lighted cigarettes
and matches; they kill themselves
smoking in bed and don't give a
hoot if their kids play with
matches.
But they are only the worst of
the three home firebugs who start
over 70 per cent of our home fires,
according to Chief Lange.
Here's how he would grade the
other two on the basis of East
Cleveland records of home fire
causes:
Number 2 the electrical wizard
who dotes on frayed cords, over
loaded circuits, misused appliances
and thinks 15-ampere safety fuses
are for sissies. He causes one of
every four home fires.
Home firebug No. 8 performs his
truck with rubbish, hot ashes and
Goals - puts them fresh from the
stove or furnace into wooden and
cardboard containers, or dumps
them on the basement floor next
to wooden walls, old newspapers
and rubbish. He accounts for one
of every eight home fires.
"How do you stop these home
firebugs ?" Chief Lange answers: !:
"One Of the best ways is to
have your home inspected for fire
hazards by experts - your fire
men help you spot and correct
conditions which could cause a
fire in your home"
Urging everyone's cooperation in
the East Cleveland Home Fire In
spection Program, the Chi e f
pointed out that the International
Association of Fire Chiefs is spon-
soring a nationwide campaign for
just such home inspections as the
most effective means for cutting
the terrible toll of fire deaths
among children.
"In East Cleveland we have had
a decrease in dwelling fires since
1851 when our home inspection
program was inaugurated. We ap-
preciate the community coopera-
ton, but, there still are many
people who do not believe that
they can be the one to cause a
fire by their carelessness.
"The offender we find on the
increase in East Cleveland is the
misuse of electricity; it seems
everyone feels they are enough of
an electrician to install an addi-
tional baseplug or socket in their
home. They do not realize that
each size wire was made to carry
only so much electrical energy
without becoming overheated and
causing a fire. When you install
additional outlets for electrical
equipment and appliances, you
very likely are overlooking the
circuit to which these outlets have
been attached. and qquite probably
the fuse will blow; when this hap
pens, the person who does not
realize the danger of so doing,
most generally inserts the next
size larger fuse. This process is
continued until the overloaded cir
cult rebels with a fire.
"My advice is that, unless quail
fled, you should not fool with cleo
tricity any more than you might
fool with dynamite. Failure to use
care with either may cause you to
lose your life and also that of
someone near and dear to you.
"Our main desire in home in
spections is to get the people of
the community to feel in terms
of fire safety the year round. 1t
is your life and property we are
trying to protect - please help
us - give us your cooperation"
The fire department will start
on this campaign next Monday,
September 9th. One-third of the
homes in East Cleveland will be
visited during 1854 by uniformed
fireman. The fire truck on the
street will be in constant communi-
cation by,radio with headquarters.
If fire should occur, the fire
company will Immediately be dis
patched to the scene of the blaze.
"Your fire department will do
its best to protect your life and
property - will you do the same ?"
A daughter, Judy Elaine was
born Tuesday, September 7th to
Mr. and Mrs TeouaY.d II Chant