March, 1910 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



xm 



FIRE PRECAUTIONS FOR THE 

 GENERAL PUBLIC 



THE general public is chiefly accus- 

 tomed to take measures for protec- 

 tion against lire collectively. That 

 is to say, the general public maintains 

 tire departments, waterworks systems. 

 employs fire marshals, passes building or- 

 dinances and takes various other steps to- 

 ward fire prevention and fire extinguish- 

 ment. These precautions are familiar to 

 us all. says Captain Greely S. Curtis in a 

 paper read before the iNIassachusetts Fire- 

 men at Plymouth. 



The additional precautions which the 

 general public can take individually deserve 

 our attention and consideration. The two 

 general classes of such precautions are : 

 First, taking steps to prevent fires from oc- 

 curring; and second, being prepared for 

 fires when they do occur. To prevent fires, 

 householders, should be taught the value of 

 the following preventive measures : Use 

 only metal barrels or receptacles for hot 

 ashes. This should include, of course, bar- 

 rels for ashes which are supposed to be 

 cold, but which may contain a few hot 

 embers. 



Do not allow rubbish and trash to ac- 

 cumulate anywhere on the premises, par- 

 ticularly in cellars, under stairways and in 

 attics. Avoid handling benzine, gasoline 

 and other inflammable fluids in the proxim- 

 ity of fire or lights. Use safety matches 

 exclusively. The use of parlor matches 

 is dangerous. This danger is usually in- 

 sufficiently appreciated. The general public 

 is seldom informed as to the large number 

 of fires supposed to be caused by matches 

 set off by rats, or mice, or children. Such 

 fires would be avoided if safety matches 

 only were used. Never fill kerosene lamps 

 by candle or lamp light. There is danger 

 in the improper use of electric lamps and 

 electric wiring. The practice of hanging 

 swinging pendant electric wires over gas 

 pipes or nails always involves some danger, 

 as does also leaving hot incandescent lamps 

 close to clothing or other textile materials. 

 Brick fire stops set near the corners in par- 

 titions and floors should be specified in new 

 frame buildings. In built up communities 

 one's property should be protected from 

 neighboring fires by means of fire walls and 

 wire glass in windows. The foregoing are 

 a few preventive measures. 



Equally important are the measures for 

 fire extinguishment. These include special 

 equipment for extinguishment, such as : 

 Automatic sprinklers with gravity tanks 

 and fire pumps ; such equipment being par- 

 ticularly desirable in mercantile and manu- 

 facturing buildings. Automatic and man- 

 ual fire alarm systems by which alarms may 

 be promptly transmitted when fires occur. 

 Standpipes with hose and nozzles perma- 

 nently attached, preferably controlled by 

 gates outside the building. Portable chem- 

 ical extinguishers of various sizes suitable 

 to the property to be protected. Steamer 

 connections through which the city fire en- 

 gines can furnish water to the sprinklers or 

 standpipes within the building to be pro- 

 tected. In addition to the foregoing, one 

 of the most important precautions in which 

 the fire department can assist the individual 

 householders is in preparation for the event 

 of fire. By preparation I do not refer to 

 filling the hand grenades with benzine, as 

 we are told is the customary procedure 

 among some of our Hebrew fellow citizens, 

 but I mean instruction as to what should be 

 done by the dififerent individuals in the 

 household when fire occurs. 



FLOORS 



A concrete tank erected on estate of Edmund Tatham, 

 Katonah, New York 



Frederick J. Sterner, Architect - - New York 

 De Lancey A. Cameron, Builder - - New York 



Tank designed for storage supply of 15,000 gallons, 

 built entirely of concrete reinforced with Clinton welded 

 wire. Before roof was placed over tank, and during 

 winter months, ice 10 inches thick formed on water 

 stored therein. No cracks or leakage have developed. 



El 



Clinton Wire Cloth Company 



CLINTON, MASS. 



Fireproofing Departments: 

 ALBERT OLIVER, 1 MADISON AVE., NEW YORK 

 WASHINGTON: Rosslyn Supply Co.. Colorado Building ST. lOUIS: Hunkins-Willis Lime 4 Cement Co. 

 CHICAGO: Clinton Wire Cloth Co.. 30-!2 River Street SAN FRANCISCO: L. A. Norris. 835 Monadnock Bide 

 BUFFALO, N. Y.! Buffalo Wire Works Co.. Inc SEATTLE: L. A. Norris, 909 Alaska Building 



CLEVELAND, OHIO: Carl Horix, 428 Garfield Building SYRACUSE, N. Y.; National Construction Company 



Parti- 

 tions 



I also make Underground Ash 

 Receivers whicli are firepi'oor — 

 and Underground Earth Closets 

 for dwellings without sewerage. 



/ Save Your Garbage Troubles 



Ever wished for a garbage can in 

 which garbage cannot freeze in 

 winter — and stink in summer? 

 A can in which flies cannot breed and then 

 spread typhoid germs? A can having a 

 cover which every time closes tight auto- 

 matically — and cannot be opened by prowling dogs 

 and cats? A can, which being out of sight, does 

 not disfigurethe backyard? A can which is practi- 

 cally indestructible? The Sttp\\tn%onUnder ground 

 Garbage Receiver has all these advantages. 



My receivers are SOLD DIRECT. 

 For the satisfaction of yourself, your husband, your maid and your 

 garbage man you should at least send for fully illustrated de- 

 scriptions of my Underground Garbage Receivers and names and addresses of hundred 



C. H. STEPHENSON, Mfr., 21 Farrar St., Lv 





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s of pleased users. 

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CALirORNIA BUNGALOWS 



Inrcresting and important facts about buiUi- 

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 sketches; lunulreds of ideas about art in the 

 home. Write me today for the Buiir-ilow data. 



ONE HUNDRED DESIGNS 



Over tlirce luindred and fifty passes of illus- 

 trations of exteriors, rioor plans, interiors, 

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 and descriptive matter rehuive to the artistic 

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 valuable information on constructing Bunjialows 

 in any part of the countO'. sent prepaid to any 

 a.hlress for One Dollar. 



HENRY L. WILSON, 809 Great Northern BIdg. 

 CHICAGO, ILL. 



