MORE DANGEROUS THAN DYNAMITE

every year thousands of persons are killed and millions of dollars in damage is done through pure carelessness in the hole here are some of the commonest causes of fires and accidents yes many of us do this on chilly mornings but jumping out of an airplane is safer another thing always shut the gas off at the pipe valve to gas hose and hose connections often leaked permanent connections are better you've heard of the ostrich burying its head in the sand so it can't see danger fuse plugs are the safety valves of your electrical system to place pennies behind them is to remove that safety factor fire is the certain result keep lamp cords in plain sight then you can see when they're worn out yes it still occurs in some of our best families and it's nearly always fatal this is often assure and as effective as the electric chair burn rubbish in an approved incinerator combustible dust mixed with air is highly explosive wrapped in paper it can be burned safely have you one of these in your home open paint buckets oil-soaked rags just the dish for spontaneous combustion most people know of the fire hazards of gasoline and other flammable fluids but have not grasped the complete picture of the dangers involved the woman using gasoline in her kitchen or elsewhere in the home with a false idea of economy does not fully realize the true high explosive character of a mixture of air and gasoline vapor on the other hand in dry-cleaning establishments such as this which have been licensed by the state all work is under the supervision of men who are familiar with the properties of gasoline and experienced in fire prevention precautions all garments to be cleaned are placed in one of these cylindrical metal washers the gasoline or solvent is stored many feet underground in fireproof tanks when needed just the right amount clean and filtered is pumped into the washer the housewife however keeps her whole supply unprotected beside her she is subject to distractions by other domestic duties during the time she is dry cleaning and others even her children are exposed to this unnecessary peril fire inspectors constantly check state control dry cleaning plants to see that fire safeguards are in good working order all machinery and metal parts are grounded to water pipes against vagrant currents and static electricity even interior metal parts are grounded with heavy copper wire this fusible link melts at 160 degrees and closes the washer door when this one melts the weight drops automatically opening a dump valve in the bottom of the washer the solvent is instantly drained safely into the underground tanks removing the danger but what chance has the housewife without the safeguards these overheads team outlets are operated from an outside valve filling the room with live steam to smother the fire if an explosion occurs these roof hatches open automatically to relieve the force all lights are controlled by outside switches to avoid the danger from an electric arc electric lights are under vapour proof globes fire extinguishers are plainly marked with the date of last filling again the fusible link coupling is brought in to use this time to hold fireproof doors open against gravity a pull on this valve releases steam into the washer room but where are the steam valves here heavy vapors are drawn to the roof by an air duct however fire shuts this draft off here fresh air is admitted to help carry off the vapors asbestosis placed outside each building provide protection for the workers in this dry tumbler suction fans withdraw the solvent vapors and expel them safely should the improbable happen despite these precautions the explosion would only force the hatches open against a valve lever and presto the tumbler is flooded with fire smothering Steve but still no protecting steam for the housewife fires are extremely rare in state supervised cleaning plants however should one occur here's how these safeguards work all doors closed automatically live steam deadliest for fire surrounded by dangers the room slowly filling with flammable vapor which even a tiny spark will explode higher on the stove flames under the water heater even if she does her cleaning outdoors there is still the greatest danger of all the invisible menace of static electricity don't run that fans the blade that's it wrap her up wait not over her head she'll inhale the flame another run for the fire department each year answering thousands of such calls every day ambulances pick up victims of gasoline fires what grim message awaits behind the panels of this silent door even doctors all too familiar with pain and suffering are touched by the needless pneus of such a scene as this but what are the other victims of this useless tragedy the anxious father they're bewildered children motherless perhaps no fortunately not in this case but they're pretty mother withered and scarred for life