An Ounce of Prevention from the Insurance Companies.
Every year millions of dollars worth of the material resources of the country are swept away by fire. . . . The principal insurance companies of the city, actuated by such considerations, have adopted a plan which is so simple and promises to be so effective that it deserves to have public attention called to it.
They have printed and propose to distribute gratuitously through every building, if necessary through every room in the city, a handsomely engraved set of "Fire Cautions." . . . The cautions are given below. It can be seen that they are sensible, practical and intelligible.
Don't allow stoves or heaters on your premises which are not securely set on stone, cemented brick, or metal and be sure that all woodwork near the stoves or pipes is carefully protected with metal.
Don't allow any loose-jointed gas brackets on your premises which could be swung against woodwork, or any gas brackets without wire screens or globes, if hay straw, light materials or window curtains are near them.
Don't allow any electric lights or wires on your premises which are not properly protected.
Don't allow steam-pipes to be in contact with wood or inflammable material.
Don't allow any kerosene oil lamps to be filled after dark. Filling lamps near a fire is dangerous.
Don't forget to keep the lamps filled, and wicks in good order. When the oil is low it generates gas, which is liable to explode.
Don't allow benzine, gasoline, naphtha, or explosives in your place. Your insurance policy prohibits it.
Don't allow ashes to be put in a wooden box or barrel in your building. Always have an iron ash can.
Don't allow any oily waste or rags to be thrown on the floor, but only in a metal can, with cover, and have them taken out of the building every night; they are self igniting.
Don't allow any greasy or oily rags or papers to be mixed up with clean clippings, or a large amount of clippings to remain in your place (even if clean and in bales) than is absolutely avoidable.
Don't allow sawdust to be used on floors or in spittoons. It causes many fires, ignited by cigar stumps or cigarettes.
Don't allow sawdust to be used for catching oil drippings from machines or elevator gearing. Sand is safe.
Don't allow matches to be kept loose, or in paper boxes, but only in metal or earthen safes. Those lighting only on the box are safest.
Don't allow smoking on your premises where any combustible goods or materials are used.
Don't fail to have your fire-buckets filled, and test hose and fire appliances from time to time.
Don't allow your stairs or hallways to be blocked up or used for "storage," or rubbish, hay, straw, etc., to accumulate or remain on your premises.
Don't fail to have all elevators or hoist ways provided with good trapdoors or hatches, and have these shut at night.
Don't forget that neglect and carelessness are the cause of more fires than all other things, and enforce rules to guard against them.
"
Don't allow any electric lights or wires on your premises which are not properly protected.
Don't allow steam-pipes to be in contact with wood or inflammable material.
Don't allow any kerosene oil lamps to be filled after dark. Filling lamps near a fire is dangerous.
Don't forget to keep the lamps filled, and wicks in good order. When the oil is low it generates gas, which is liable to explode.
Don't allow benzine, gasoline, naphtha, or explosives in your place. Your insurance policy prohibits it.
Don't allow ashes to be put in a wooden box or barrel in your building. Always have an iron ash can.
Don't allow any oily waste or rags to be thrown on the floor, but only in a metal can, with cover, and have them taken out of the building every night; they are self igniting.
Don't allow any greasy or oily rags or papers to be mixed up with clean clippings, or a large amount of clippings to remain in your place (even if clean and in bales) than is absolutely avoidable.
Don't allow sawdust to be used on floors or in spittoons. It causes many fires, ignited by cigar stumps or cigarettes.
Don't allow sawdust to be used for catching oil drippings from machines or elevator gearing. Sand is safe.
Don't allow matches to be kept loose, or in paper boxes, but only in metal or earthen safes. Those lighting only on the box are safest.
Don't allow smoking on your premises where any combustible goods or materials are used.
Don't fail to have your fire-buckets filled, and test hose and fire appliances from time to time.
Don't allow your stairs or hallways to be blocked up or used for "storage," or rubbish, hay, straw, etc., to accumulate or remain on your premises.
Don't fail to have all elevators or hoist ways provided with good trapdoors or hatches, and have these shut at night.
Don't forget that neglect and carelessness are the cause of more fires than all other things, and enforce rules to guard against them.
Don't forget to close your iron shutters at night.
These cards are already being distributed in large numbers. All the large insurance companies are interested in the project, and inclined to expect great things from it.
"Cambridge Jeffersonian" (Cambridge, Ohio), 19 January 1888, page 1:part of the Historical Newspapers Collection at
Ancestry.com,
AND
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http://www.myfamilyinc.com/fromAncestry Daily News, 19 January 2006View today's “Ancestry Daily News.”
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