~The striking aspect of this countries fire problem is the indifference with which we confront the subject. Distructive fire takes a very high toll in lives, injuries and property losses with resignation. There are many measures, often very simple precautions that can be taken to reduce these losses significantly. Despite the fact that 12,000 Americans die in fires each year, too many people have the attitude, "It will never happen to me". It does and it will.~

~To point out some of these causes of fire and help you prevent them, I will put down here many of the fire prevention articles I have published in local newspapers.~

~Clothing fires. especially those involving young children, has the largest percentage of such accidents involving children who play with matches or cigarette lighters. Next in order of frequency are those caused by contact with gas or electric stoves and heaters. Altogether some three thousand Americans die each year after their clothes catch fire, and more than 150,000 are injured. Roughly one victim in four is a child under ten years of age, but what is most disturbing is the large number who were left unattended at the time of the accident.~

~Fully one quarter of all children who die by fire are alone or without supervision. For the most part, these are not cases of willful neglect. Think how often you may have been tempted to dash down to the corner grocery while your kids were watching TV. Or perhaps you left a small child at home sleeping while driving others to school. These are exactly the circumstances which have brought tragedy to thousands of families.~

~What makes this so appalling is the fact that the solution to fire loss is within relatively easy reach. It does not require a breakthrough in technology. It does not require massive commitment of Federal manpower and dollars. What it does require is a commitment from all of us to help reduce the death and destruction from fire.~

~Each year thousands of people receive hospital emergency room treatment for injuries associated with upholstred furniture fires. The most serious injuries are burns. Many people die from smoke or toxic gases generated by the smoldering fires.~

~This illustration represents some typical accident patterns in upholstered furniture fires:

1. GIGARETTE IGNITION- Data shows that cigarettes are the most common cause of fire.

2. DRINKING ALCOHOL- Many victims have drunk alcohol beverages before a fire begins. They may be smoking when they fall asleep, and the effects of the alcohol prevents them from awaking before they suffer burns or smoke inhalation.

3. SMOKE AND TOXIC GAS- Like mattress fires. upholstered furniture fires tend to smolder for hours. Many people die from Carbon Monoxide generated during that time, particularly if the fire occurs when the are sleeping. Many others are seriously burned if the furniture does begin to flame.

~Another hazard associated with upholstered furniture is ignition by nearby flame or heat source, such as a space heater, baseboard heater, heating stove or fireplace. In contrast to fires started by cigarettes, fires started by by these flame or heat sources ignite much more quickly. Polyurethane foam and other materials use to pad or cover upholstered furniture can generate deadly quanties of carbon monoxide and other gases within minutes.

~Injuries to the elderly and handicapped are often serious because they cannot react quickly enought to save thenselves when they become aware of the fire.~

~Every home should have a SMOKE DETECTOR installed. Most fire departments will be happy to help you install them at proper locations.~

~What would you do if a fire should strike? Above all don't panic! Take a moment to decide on a plan of action. Your best chance to stop a fire is hit it while it's still small.~

~In the kitchen: If a fire erupts in a pan on top of the stove, immediately turn off the burner. Try to smother the flame with a lid that compleatly covers the pan. If this fails, use a fire extinguisher, or throw baking soda (NOT powder) over the flames.~

~If a fire breaks out in your oven - turn off the heat. Try smothering the fire by keeping the oven door closed for a few moments. If this fails, slowly open the oven door just far enough to use your fire extinguisher.~

~Never risk carrying a burning pan out of the house, and never pour water on a grease fire - this will spatter and spread the flames. Above all never try to fight fire anything but small fires.. Even if you think the fire is out CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, they will make sure.~

~Clothing fires: Never run or remain standing if your clothing catches on fire. Drop down immediately. If indoors, roll yourself in a rug or blanket, or heavy coat to smother the flames. NEVER RUN. If outdoors, roll on the ground, remove smoldering clothing.~

~Electrical fires: In case of electrical fire, unplug the appliance or turn off the electricity. Never pour water on a connected appliance - you may get electrocuted.~

~Reporting fires: Call 911, speak slowly and plainly. Give your name, address and type of fire. Then wait to answer questions. Be sure to report ALL fires to the Fire Department.~

~Because of the increasing cost or shortage of natural gas and fuel oil, many homeowners are attempting to provide a supplemental source of heat using coal or wood as fuel. Since fireplaces and stoves that burn these fuels can be hazardous, it is essential that they be properly installed, operated and maintained.~

~CLEARANCES ARE CRITICAL. Maintain a minimum of 36" of clear space on all sides of the stove or firepace from combustible wall or ceiling. Modern fireplaces may be closer. Check wih your local Building and Fire Departments to be sure you comply with local fire and building codes.~

~YOUR WOOD. Green wood has too high a moisture content for satisfactory use. Select wood that has been seasoned at least six months, Wood split before storing to season dries in less time and burns more evenly.~

~Use of the proper wood is your best safeguard against an accumulation of creosote, an oily substance which derives from incomplete combustion, on the lining of the chimney flue. A spark or flaming paper can ignite the creosote and cause what can be an extreamly hot and dangerous chimney fire.~

~STARTING THE FIRE. Always open the damper before starting a fire. DO NOT use kerosene or gasoline to kindle a fire. Another way of asking for trouble is to use your stove or fireplace for a trash burner. The resulting flames can start a chimney or roof fire. If you have a chimney fire CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.~

A smoke detector, a fire escape plan and provisions for special situations - none are fail-safe guaranties.

~The only real safty from fire is keeping fire from happening in the first place. You and your family must Learn Not To Burn. Understanding the major causes of home fires will help you.~

~CARELESSNESS WITH CIGARETTES, CIGARS, AND PIPES.~

~This is the single largest cause of home fires. Your ashtrays should be large and heavy so they don't tip over. The resting place for your cigarette sould be in the center, not on the outer edge where it will fall out as it burns down and looses it's balance. Never set the ashtray on the arm of an overstuffed chair ot couch. Empty the ashtrays in the morning, down the toilet or in the fireplace, NEVER in the trash. Before going to bed after parties, check between and under cushions, on the carpet along side and behind the furniture for smoldering cigarettes.NEVER smoke in bed.~

~MISUSE OF WIRING AND ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT~

~A fuse or circuit breaker is for your protection, it tells you that the circuit is overloaded when it trips or blows. DON'T replace it with a penny or tape it open to defeat it's purpose, as it will result in fire. An overloaded extention cord presents a hazard when too many appliances are plugged into it, especially if they are heat producing like a space heater or clothes iron, they will cause the cord to overheat and ignite.

~CARELESSNESS WITH COOKING APPLIANCES~

~Keep pot and pan handles turned in from the stoves edge. Don't leave food cooking unattended. Don't store food above the stove where a small child will climb up on the burners or get burned reaching over a hot stove. Alway wear short or close fitting sleeves while cooking; loose clothing could touch hot burners and catch fire.~

~CHILDREN PLAYING WITH MATCHES~

~First make sure your children understand the danger of playing with matches or lighters, Second, keep matches and lighters out of the "strike zone" - that area from the floor to the shoulders where small children can reach, and NEVER leave a small child unattended.~

~Tour your home with fire safty in mind. Does your home measure up - frome basement to attic - from room to room? You may be nodding yes, but are you sure? Your families lives depend on it. Start in your basement and storeroom. Fuses or circuit brakers the right size? Flammable liquids stored safely? Rubbish dumped regularly? No combustibles stored near furnace or heaters?~

~GARAGE - Flammable liquids stored in tight metal containers? (not plastic). Does everyone follow the firesafe guidelines of keeping flammable liquids away from heat, pilot lights and sparks? Make sure the workbench and floor are clean and clear of wood shavings.~

~ Move to the living and family room. Are large ashtrays availible for smokers? Do you have a sturdy metal or glass screen in front of the fireplace? Allow air space around the television and other appliances to prevent overheating. Locate portable heaters away from combustibles,doorways and usual paths of your family. Is furniture located too near or drapes touching baseboard heaters?~

~Check bedrooms - Can a pillow or bedding fall against the baseboard heater? Are your drapes touching it? If you use electric blankets, do you remove ALL bedcovers from on top of it when you go to bed? (anything on top of it may cause a fire), Do you turn it off in the morning, before putting the bedspread over it? Do you provide large safe ashtrays for smoking in a chair, NOT in bed? Are extention cords overloaded?~

~In EVERY room in the house, make certain that matches and lighters are out of the "strike zone", well out of children's reach.~

~There may be a time you see a small fire start and are close enough to put it out. In such case, having a fire extinguisher may keep that small fire from becomming a large one.~

~The ONLY times you should try to extinguish a fire by yourself are when you're near the fire when it begins or you discover the fire in it's early stages, and you know how to use the extinguisher. HAVE someone call the fire department even as you try to extinguish the fire. Just remember, your first concern is getting your family out and calling the fire department.~

~If your home only has one fire extinguisher, your best choice is at least a 5 pound A:B:C dry chemical, that you use on wood, paper, flammable liquids and electrical fires.(It WILL NOT extinguish a fire in a mattress,upholstered couch or chair or clothing, but will knock down the flames) The extinguisher lable will give you the the purpose and instructions for it's use.~

~You should have at least one fire extinguisher located in the kitchen, the garage and workshop. Locate each extinguisher in the path of exit travel so that there's an escape route if the fire cannot be controled.~

~These extinguishers have a discharge time in seconds. Obviously, it's important that family members know how to use them proprly and quickly.~

~An ordinary garden hose can also aid in fighting a small fire, especially in outlaying areas where considerable time may be required for the fire department to arrive at the scene of the fire. BUT remember water is a conductor of electricty and you could be shocked or electricuted.~

~Follow the same basic steps for extinguishing a fire with either the garden hose or the fire extinguisher, aim at the base of the fire using a sweeping motion. Don't get so close to the fire that you endanger yourself.~

~REMEMBER in all cases, call or have someone call the fire department before you try to fight the fire. Don't delay in alerting the fire department or it may be to late, they have the training, experience and equipment to fight fire and rescue people. Firefighters are concerned and a knowledgeable source of information. They put out fires, but they're also dedicated to prevent fires.~

~It's a common, but unsafe practice, to replace blown 15amp fuses with 30amp type because they are harder to "blow". This creates a fire hazard as the wires or appliances on that circuit can overheat, causing afire within the walls or the appliance because the safty feature of the 15amp fuse has been defeated by using the 30amp size. The same thing happens when you tape the 15amp.circuit breaker open, so it cannot trip from a overload in the newer home.~

~The use of "three way or more" outlet plugs allows you the unsafe practice of plugging in many appliances in a outlet ment for two. This causes an overload on that circuit,blowing the 15amp fuse. Unfortunately, many people think they can solve the problem by replacing the blown fuse with a 30amp fuse and burning the house down along with all those nice appliances AND everthing else in the house.~

~Many extention cords on the market today are cheaply made and are intended for TEMPORARY USE ONLY with appliances using less that 7amps. More current than this causes the cord to overheat and often short out causing a fire.~

~Some examples of the current used by some common appliances are: a hand iron 7-10amps; a toaster about 9amps; a heater from 5-15amps and a television set about 3amps You know your circuit is overloaded when the lights dim and a fuse blows or circuit braker trips when you turn on a appliance.~

~I urge all residents of older homes to heed these warnings about overloading outlets and using extention cords. and if your home uses fuses instead of circuit breakers, I urge you not to circumvent the protection offered by proper fuse (15amp) by installing fuses rated too high (30amp) for the circuit being protected.~

~Would you knowingly store TNT, nitroglycerin or other explosives in your home, garage, travel trailer or automobile?~

~Did you know that the improper storage of gasoline could result in an explosion and fire with the force and damage of the above listed explosives?~

~Here are some facts about gasoline that could save your life, home, and possessions from explosion and fire:

~Gasoline expands when it gets warm, causing it to overflow and leak from it's container;

~Gasoline vapors are heavier than air, causing them to roll across the floor seeking a source of ignition, which will result in a explosion and fire!!