Condemned (1968)

foreign today 18 people are condemned to die it could be your neighbor your child your wife or even you no jury will hear their case no lawyer will plead their innocence no judge will pass sentence but 18 persons are doomed to die in the next 24 hours to die in smoke and flames needlessly and without warning they will die [Music] every single hour of the day and night 63 homes are destroyed or damaged by fire in the united states that's right 63 homes every hour even more tragic is the fact that in these fires every year 6 500 people 2 100 of them children die this man is a careful person his tools are clean and sharp he's able to fix a broken toy furniture or repair a part of his automobile he's proud of his ability to make minor repairs and to recognize wear and tear on his equipment but sometimes the obvious escapes him that cigarette can be dangerous a burning cigarette a can of flammable liquid create this disaster it's another call for the fire department your fire department is it another tragedy or a minor blaze could this happen to you [Music] it happened to him it seems impossible that a cigarette and cleaning fluid could cause this fire but it did a home destroyed one man dead flammable liquids must never be left in open containers nor stored in glass bottles only in approved safety cans this is a free lesson for all of us to learn this man paid with his life gee finals tomorrow never pass if i don't cram will he take those finals little does he know he's being tried and convicted condemned by his own carelessness [Music] a familiar scene repeated every day she's being tried and convicted and doesn't even know it she's condemned by her own carelessness and now let's get down to the facts what you are seeing is happening times each day 173 000 fires a year are caused by careless smoking and matches he's being tried and convicted by his own carelessness condemned [Music] this man lived in an apartment house he's endangered not only his own life but the lives of all the other residents of the building and the lives of the firemen who must put out the fire and rescue those who are trapped this is just one of the 475 fires that occur every day from carelessness this elderly woman because of someone else's carelessness has now gone through the terrifying experience of facing smoke and flames she is now safe in the arms of this firemen but she may never recover from the mental horror of this night every fire represents a failure a failure to correct a hazard in some cases a human hazard fire can happen to you yes you here's another free lesson for you but for this man there will be no second chance [Music] he paid with his life for his carelessness if you must smoke don't smoke in bed [Music] this seems like an ideal time to go to the store the baby is safely asleep and you'll be back in a few minutes long before he's liable to awaken sometimes it's almost impossible to take the baby with you when you have an arm load of groceries besides he's asleep and nothing can possibly happen in a few minutes do you ever leave your child alone even for a few minutes what's that fire engines oh my god it's her house her baby is alone this is not a major fire but a tragedy of carelessness do you know that smoke is a combination of poison gases sometimes one breath can snuff out a life this infant never had a chance the child was not killed by the flames but by the deadly smoke more than 700 children left unattended die in fires each year yes 700 children [Music] ever since man invented the match parents have warned children that they must not play with them matches have a strange fascination and children are curious and will play with anything they find forbidden things it seems are more interesting at home they mustn't touch matches but here's a big supply and no mother and father to say stop matches a forbidden prize to be examined to watch as the tiny flame bursts into light but flames seldom stay tiny very long children don't know this and while the youngsters run in panic the fire gains time to spread to porch and stairs the flame from that single match is no longer tiny the whole rear of the house is burning [Music] before the fire is discovered in the firearm and speed of the scene the delay has been costly and they are now faced with a possible conflagration that will require all of their efforts and know-how [Music] this fire destroyed a full city block costing hundreds of thousands of dollars leaving hundreds homeless and destroying many personal family possessions it has never been proved but there is reason to believe that this massive fire was started by a child or children playing with matches a staggering 70 000 fires are started each year by children playing with matches that's right 70 000 fires each year this could be you your home your furniture all destroyed by one tiny insignificant match tiny but never insignificant in the hands of a child it is your responsibility to teach your children about the danger of matches and to keep matches out of their reach your fireman is trained to put out fires also to prevent them he's trained to spot fire hazards and to correct them when the firemen visits you and your neighbors to help prevent fires this is called in-service inspection isn't it comforting to see the fire engine at your front door and to realize that it was not summoned by the call of fire his interest is your safety and future another familiar scene mother ironing daughter making cookies an electric toaster or some other appliance all connected to one electric outlet an overloaded circuit is an invitation to a possible fire another needless fire people people like you take their home heating system for granted unless something goes wrong do you know how to shut off your burner every system should have a remote control switch so that can be turned off in an emergency a faulty damper can cause a smoke-filled house 200 fires a day are caused by heating equipment 200 a day rubbish stored beneath a stairway can cut off your only means of escape in the event of fire the home workbench doesn't always get the attention it deserves keep flammable liquids in proper containers a fuse box is a safeguard not a hazard do you know and use the correct size fuses there are 450 electrical fires every day have you a power mower or snow blower gas tanks should never be filled indoors gasoline should never be kept in glass jars fireplaces are comfortable charming and fun but they must be treated with respect a screen in front of a fireplace is a must [Music] addicts are traditional catch-alls a place to store things you're always planning to use again but probably never will don't let your attic become a fire hazard clean it out improper wiring hanging between the rafters can be just as dangerous as a burning cigarette [Music] a portable heater may feel comfortable in a bedroom but be sure the heater stands in the clear away from walls bedding and curtains [Music] another common mistake the extension cord under the rug don't take a chance on short circuits put your fire department number on your telephone when finished your firemen will check over the list with you now right now is the time to correct these hazards tomorrow may be too late have you ever sat down with your family and discussed fire in your home or worked out a plan that could save their lives and yours if fire broke out a large percentage of house fires occur between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m the average person awakened from a sound sleep tends to be a bit befuddled if the awakening is caused by fire even the calmest person could tend to panic an escape plan could counteract this panic make it a game for the children if possible there should be at least two means of escape from every room be sure that everyone knows about both exits conduct regular fire drills in your home so that in an emergency the exit paths will be familiar [Music] a good solid door will hold back flames for minutes minutes in which to flee if the door is hot to the touch or if smoke seeps in around the edges don't open it that's right don't open it use your door as a safety device if you cannot get out the door then use the window it is most important to impress upon everyone in the family that once they are safely outside to gather in one appointed place and for all to stay there until released all too often a parent will find a child missing and not knowing that the child has escaped safely will return to the house to search and die in the flames fire is a comfortable servant discovery that fire would warm his body and cook his food keep him dry and protect him from darkness man alone has learned to use and control fire man uses fire not only for warmth and comfort but he has harnessed its power to subdue nature to change the very face of the earth he uses fire to soften some things to harden others to destroy rubbish to control disease almost everything we use has come in contact with fire or the results of fire heat he has conquered fire made it his servant but man must remember that to keep fire a valued servant it must be properly cared for guarded and guarded against a careless moment can turn this valuable servant into a treacherous enemy fire has a terrific appetite and it cares not what it destroys man must control fire or be conquered by it don't give fire a place to start don't be found guilty without a trial don't be condemned [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] you