WHAT TO DO UNTIL THE FIREMEN COME.

WHAT TO DO UNTIL THE FIREMEN COME.

的到来之前应该做些什么火department has been very sensibly answered by Chief Coots, of the Indianapolis department. “Shut the inside doors of your home; make sure that the alarm has been turned in. and then close outside doors and remain outside and wait the coming of the firemen. Do not get excited, and keep your wits about you. It will not be more than two or three minutes until they arrive. Be ready to point out where the fire is, and the readiest way of reaching it. In the majority of dwellings, the fire starts in the rear, usually from the kitchen flue, or else from the furnace, which is most frequently under the dining room. By shutting the doors of the rooms, both upstairs and downstairs, it prevents the flame and smoke from spreading through the house. Frequently the department confines the mischief to the original room. If the inmates have given timely alarm and carefully attended to the above, there is little danger of a general spread of fire. One of my predecessors recommended: ‘Ring up the department, take your canary bird and insurance papers and get out. Keep out of the way of the firemen.' That is not a bad idea. Frequently the department is hampered by the attempts of the family to save household goods, and many times the firemen are blocked in their way to the upper rooms by furniture coming down the stairs or by heavy trunks dragged to the top steps and given a shove. In case the family does not get stampeded, much can he done to protect property. There is nothing gained by pitching it outdoors to be trampled upon and broken, and saturated with water. Paintings and pitcures are easily ruined by heat and smoke. While the department is coming, these could be removed from the walls of endangered rooms and carried into rooms farthest from the fire. The first thing, however, is to make sure that the alarm has been sent in. It is a safe proposition, when you are reasonably certain something is wrong, to sound the alarm and then investigate. When the alarm is sounded in good faith, the department has no complaint to make, because it happens that its services are not needed. It many times over prefers getting there too soon than too late. Depend on the salvage corps. The corps responds promptly and understands the saving of household goods much better than any family can possibly do, because it has the experience, strength, and means with which to work. Clear the way for its coming, point out vour most valuable stuff, and you will be surprised how swiftly this property is gathered into the middle of the room and covered with tarpaulins against injury by water or falling plaster. Above all things, keep your wits about you. Recently the Indianapolis department had a run on College avenue. The family sent in the alarm, closed the doors carefully and walked out. This precaution prevented the fire from spreading through tne house, and it was extinguished by the use of chemicals, with only nominal damage. Water is never thrown, unless unavoidable, and then only enonugh to dampen down the fire. Chemicals complete the work. Rarely is the loss serious when the precautions to which I allude are observed Shut the doors and keep them shut; retain your presence of mind, and have faith in the fire department and salvage corps, The boys will do tbe rest.”

的到来之前应该做些什么火department has been very sensibly answered by Chief Coots, of the Indianapolis department. “Shut the inside doors of your home; make sure that the alarm has been turned in. and then close outside doors and remain outside and wait the coming of the firemen. Do not get excited, and keep your wits about you. It will not be more than two or three minutes until they arrive. Be ready to point out where the fire is, and the readiest way of reaching it. In the majority of dwellings, the fire starts in the rear, usually from the kitchen flue, or else from the furnace, which is most frequently under the dining room. By shutting the doors of the rooms, both upstairs and downstairs, it prevents the flame and smoke from spreading through the house. Frequently the department confines the mischief to the original room. If the inmates have given timely alarm and carefully attended to the above, there is little danger of a general spread of fire. One of my predecessors recommended: ‘Ring up the department, take your canary bird and insurance papers and get out. Keep out of the way of the firemen.' That is not a bad idea. Frequently the department is hampered by the attempts of the family to save household goods, and many times the firemen are blocked in their way to the upper rooms by furniture coming down the stairs or by heavy trunks dragged to the top steps and given a shove. In case the family does not get stampeded, much can he done to protect property. There is nothing gained by pitching it outdoors to be trampled upon and broken, and saturated with water. Paintings and pitcures are easily ruined by heat and smoke. While the department is coming, these could be removed from the walls of endangered rooms and carried into rooms farthest from the fire. The first thing, however, is to make sure that the alarm has been sent in. It is a safe proposition, when you are reasonably certain something is wrong, to sound the alarm and then investigate. When the alarm is sounded in good faith, the department has no complaint to make, because it happens that its services are not needed. It many times over prefers getting there too soon than too late. Depend on the salvage corps. The corps responds promptly and understands the saving of household goods much better than any family can possibly do, because it has the experience, strength, and means with which to work. Clear the way for its coming, point out vour most valuable stuff, and you will be surprised how swiftly this property is gathered into the middle of the room and covered with tarpaulins against injury by water or falling plaster. Above all things, keep your wits about you. Recently the Indianapolis department had a run on College avenue. The family sent in the alarm, closed the doors carefully and walked out. This precaution prevented the fire from spreading through tne house, and it was extinguished by the use of chemicals, with only nominal damage. Water is never thrown, unless unavoidable, and then only enonugh to dampen down the fire. Chemicals complete the work. Rarely is the loss serious when the precautions to which I allude are observed Shut the doors and keep them shut; retain your presence of mind, and have faith in the fire department and salvage corps, The boys will do tbe rest.”