put out fires. Isn’t it strange, then, that more lives and more property are lost by fires, in our country, than in England or Germany or France? We pay out more money for fire insurance, too. This is partly because ours is a newer country, and much of our building has been done with wood. We are building better, today. But most of our fires are caused by carelessness. The best way to deal with a fire is not to let one get started. Here are some of the things to remember:
Never drop a match. Even if it is unlighted, some one may step on it and set it on fire. Keep matches in covered metal or china boxes, away from children and mice. Mice bite match heads and often set whole boxes on fire. Be careful of fire crackers. They often explode in rubbish, under wooden steps and ladies’ dresses. Don’t build a bonfire, or play around one, unless some grown person is watching. Don’t leave little children alone in a house or a room, with a fire or a lighted lamp. If you build a camp fire anywhere be sure it is out, not a hot coal left in the ashes, before you leave it. Forest and prairie fires that have swept away towns have been started that way. Don’t allow loose rubbish in basements and closets. Don’t use gasoline, kerosene, naphtha, benzine, alcohol or turpentine in a room with a fire, or keep these things stored in a house. Don’t try to start a fire with one of these things, or to fill a stove tank or lamp while it is burning. There are easier ways to die than by oil explosions.
Use a deep kettle, only partly full of boiling fat, for frying doughnuts. Don’t force your furnace in cold weather. Overheated chimneys cause fire. Test your gas pipes and burners often, and don’t look for a gas leak with a lighted match. If you can’t find it with your nose, send for a plumber. Don’t light lamps or gas jets near lace curtains. Watch a grate fire, or put a fender before it. Coal snaps out sometimes. Be careful of punk and incense sticks. Don’t put candles on a Christmas tree. They look pretty, but they are dangerous. Maybe you can think of some more don’ts. Yes, here is another. Don’t air bed clothes, or put flower pots on the fire escape. It may be needed any minute. Besides, it is against the law to block a fire escape, and you could be punished for it. Here are some "dos" to remember about fire.
When you move into a new neighborhood, find out the nearest fire alarm box, the first thing. It will be painted red, and have a red light above it at night. Ask a policeman how to send in an alarm. If you have a telephone, put down the number of the nearest engine house and police station, so you can call for help, if you can’t get
