Cornell University Library 
 
 TH 9148.C34 
 
 Fire prevention on the farm and elsewher 
 
 3 1924 003 626 847 
 
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 Library 
 
 The original of this book is in 
 the Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
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 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924003626847 
 
FIRE PREVENTION 
 
 on the 
 
 FARM 
 
 AND ELSEWHERE 
 
 Of Vital Interest to Men, W^omen and Children 
 
 "CARELESSNESS CAUSES FIRES" 
 "CLEANLINESS AND CAREFULNESS 
 WILL PREVENT FIRES" 
 
 The Ontario Fire Prevention League Aims : 
 
 " To. co-operate with tlie Provincial Government and. the Ontario Fire Marshal's 
 Office for the purpose of promoting the science and Improving the methods of Fire Pre- 
 vention and Fire Protection; to obtain and circulate information on these subjects; to 
 assist In securing pteper safeguards against loss of Idfe and property by Are; to keep the 
 subject before the people, especially the young, and endeavour to inculc^tp the idea that 
 it is a patriotic duty to prevent fires. 
 
 Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal, Department of the Attorney General, 
 Parliament Buildings, Toronto 
 
 E. p. HEATON, GEORGE F. LEW^IS, 
 
 Fire Marshal , Deputy Fire Marshal 
 
 TORONTO 
 Printed and Published byA.T.WILGRESS, Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty 
 
 1919 
 
Co/ 
 
 -fg/^/; / 
 
 FORE-WORD 
 
 
 Fires cause heavy losses every year to the farmers of Ontario. 
 Carelessness is possibly the chief cause of fires. Every farmer, 
 therefore, should give the subject careful thought and no one 
 should rest content until he has availed himself of all the pro- 
 tection which science and intelligence have devised. Thinking 
 and planning save thousands of dollars every year. 
 
 I am glad to commend the efforts of the Ontario Fine Preven- 
 tion League in affiliation with the Ontario Tire Marshal's Office 
 to arouse an interest in this subject in the Province, and I trust 
 the information and suggestions contained in this publication 
 will receive most thoughtful consideration and b.e followed by 
 prompt action. - 
 
 GBOEOE S. HBNEY, 
 
 Minister of Agriculture. 
 
ONTARIO FIRE PREVENTION LEAGUE 
 
 (INC.) 
 IN AFFILIATION WITH THE 
 
 ONTARIO FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE 
 
 Toronto, Ontario 
 
 OFFICERS. 
 
 Hon. President. 
 Sib Wm. Hearst, K.C, M.P.P., 
 Piemier of Ontario. 
 President. 
 Aethuk Hewitt, Toronto. 
 
 Vice-Presidents. 
 H.,J. Waddie, Hamilton. 
 Mrs. L. a. Hamilton, Toronto. 
 
 Secretary -Treasurer. 
 Geokqe F. Lewis, Toronto. 
 
 Executvve Committee. 
 Frank Cookshutt, Brantford. 
 J. S. Feanob, Woodstock. 
 Mbs. a. M. Hubstis, Toronto. 
 John B. Laidlaw, Toronto. 
 B. Pbitohabd, Chattam. 
 Jambs B.oss,-Waterford. 
 T. A. Stevenson, Toronto. 
 
 Legislation Committee. 
 
 Wm. Pboddeoot, K.O., M.P.P., 
 6foderich. 
 
 Hon. ThOS. Cbawfobb, M.P.P., 
 Toronto. 
 
 0. W. jABVis, M.P.P., Fort 
 ' WilKam. 
 
 " To those who husbanded the Golden Grain, 
 And those who flung it to the winds like Eain, 
 With them^the seed of wisdom did I sow. 
 And with mine own hand wrought to mal^e it grow." 
 
 Greeting : 
 
 The war has proved a " solvent " for many problems of a 
 national character. Problems that only a short time ago would 
 have seemed baffling and insurmountable have been overcome and 
 their solution has redounded to the benefit and upbuilding of the 
 nation. 
 
 Conditions were forced upon us as a young and peace-loving 
 nation which we were compelled to face and which providentially 
 emancipated us from the " feeding bottle " class — enabling the 
 country to throw off its swaddling clothes for those of more 
 sturdy attire. The war, with all its terrible suffering and sacri- 
 fices, has done even more than that, it has made us think; it has 
 given us more confidence in ourselves, more reliance in our ability 
 
 3 
 
to do things, and taught us to know the meaning of thrift; but 
 
 ^ alas, it has not changed our habits — those habits of carelessness 
 for which we have established an unenviable reputation. 
 
 With the triumphant ending of the world war additional 
 responsibilities are placed on our shoulders entailing greater 
 demands on our food supplies and other products of our country. 
 The conservation of our resources, from destruction by fire, 
 is now more imperative than ever. Not only must we supply the 
 needs of our soldiers until they return to their homes and are 
 again employed in peaceful, productive occupations ; but we must 
 also help feed the peoples whose lands have been devastated by the 
 fiendish Hun, who has wrought death and destruction along his 
 path and caused turmoil and suffering throughout the world. 
 
 ^ . .The ability of our country to successfully compete with other 
 nations of the world for the business that is available during the 
 i^construction period depends upon its financial strength — its 
 potential power to further develop its industries and produce 
 more foodstuffs. 
 
 After co-ordinating our efforts " to produce " it is of para- 
 mount importance to protect those products from destruction by 
 fire if we would maintain our supremacy in the march of progress 
 and prosperity. , 
 
 We must not relax but rather redouble our efforts to reduce 
 the fire waste of Canada. 
 
 ; Canadians have proved themselves " great fighters " — they 
 
 piave the heroic valor and resourceful intelligence necessary to 
 
 pvercome their enemies. 
 
 ^ The next war, though a peaceful one, should be none the less 
 strenuous against the strongly entrenched demon " Fire." 
 
 ;; Unfettered fire is one of our worst enemies — it kills, de- 
 vastates, and-destroys in a ruthless manner. 
 
 If we can make as good progress in our fight against fire as 
 we have against the Hun we will have won a great battle. 
 
 Y Aggressive action is needed. Everyone should co-operate in 
 the work of Fire Prevention and help to educate and bring people 
 young and old — to a realization that they must be more careful 
 
 ^about their " habits." Statistics regarding the cause of fires show 
 that we are the most careless people on earth. We toil unceas- 
 ingly to acquire comfortable and attractive homes, and yet two 
 out of every three fires that occur are in the homes of the people ; 
 and worse still, is the amazing fact that eight out of every ten 
 of all the fires that occur are preventable. 
 
" Carelessness " in doing the ordinary things about the house 
 is the chief cause of a great many fires; and for this unnecessary 
 waste — ^men, women and children appear to be equally Qulpable. 
 
 While " Cleanliness is next to Carefulness in the Prevention 
 of Fire " it is our habits that first need correction. The change 
 in our mode of life is one of the serious problems that now con- 
 front us. We must change our thoughts and our actions so as to 
 effectively change our careless habits. These habits appear to 
 have become in-grown with our very nature. Witness, for in- 
 stance, the way in which lighted matches and cigarette butts are 
 thrown around. When we succeed in changing our careless 
 habits, the tax for fire waste of the country will be greatly 
 reduced. 
 
 As a matter of patriotism it is a duty that we owe to our 
 country and humanity at large to prevent destruction of life and 
 property by fire. There are more than four times as many people 
 burned to death every year in Canada as are killed on steam and 
 electric railways. 
 
 Besides amending one's habits of carelessness, much can be 
 done by the individual to erq,dicate the terrible fire waste that is 
 impoverishing our country. " Example is better than precept " — 
 the removal of fire menaces and unnecessary hazards in one's 
 home, barn, store or factory can be easily done ; after being thus 
 forearmed, one would feel fortified to suggest to others " to go 
 and do likewise." 
 
 The power of suggestion is remarkable, and thus we may 
 perhaps, often unconsciously, teach the doctrine of " Fire Pre- 
 vention '^ and radiate an influence for good that is widespread 
 and most effective. 
 
 It is desirable that every person should enlist in the army of 
 " Fire Preventionists," especially women, who might well direct 
 their efforts towards the education of the children on fire preven- 
 tion lines. 
 
 When one member is injured all members of the human body 
 suffer with it ; so it. is with the destruction of our homes, barns, 
 factories, and resources by fire — we all suffer. Medical science 
 teaches us that certain diseases are caused by certain bacteria and 
 the only way to get rid of the disease is to attack the microbes 
 by sterilization. We must pursue the same course if we are going 
 to reduce the number of fires. We must eradicate the cause — ^by 
 amending our careless habits and keeping our premises free 
 from accumulations of combustible rubbish, etc. 
 
The fire waste touches the pocket of every man, woman and 
 child in the country. It is an indirect tax. It is paid in the cost 
 of everything we eat, drink and wear. The fact that most of the 
 money paid by insurance companies, out of the premiums they 
 collect, is for losses caused through carelessness, is a serious in- 
 dictment against an intelligent, progressive people — an indict- 
 ment against our " habits." 
 
 You are most earnestly requested to join the great army of 
 fire preventionists and help through your influence and hearty 
 co-operation to reduce the fire waste and fire tax of the country. 
 
 There are great possibilities in co-operation. Drops of wate? 
 
 are valuable only when they combine. Alone they dry up and 
 
 vanish. The world war has furnished some striking examples 
 
 I of what may be accomplished through co-operation. Kipling has 
 
 put it in a terse way : 
 
 " It ain't the guns nor armament, nor the funds that they can 
 
 pay, 
 
 But the close co-operation that makes them win the day — 
 ■^ It ain't the individual, nor the army as a whole, 
 ?' But the everlastin' teamwork of every bloomin' soul." 
 
 We must be inspired by this feeling of co-operation if we are 
 going to win. If we only make up our minds to do it — we will win. 
 Taught hy experience and the serious lessons of life, as a pro- 
 gressive people, let us strive to better our conditions. 
 
 Vast strides are being made in the preservation and improve- 
 ment of the health of the nation by educating the children in 
 l^giene; and let us hope that results of equal importance to the 
 "wealth and prosperity of the nation may be obtained by educating 
 Pthe children in fire prevention methods, so that their careless 
 habits, as well as our own, may be changed. 
 
 Don't -simply read but study every one of the following 
 
 articles. They have been compiled with great care for your 
 
 benefit. Learn what you ought to do to avoid fire, and do it now. 
 
 -ISTeglect may mean sorrow and suffering, even loss of life — loss 
 
 of valuable stock that money cannot replace — loss of the savings 
 
 lf)f a life-time. 
 
 Yours for action, 
 
 Secretary Ontario Fire Prevention League. 
 
IT IS A PATRIOTIC DUTY TO PREVENT 
 
 FIRES 
 
 If we were to consider that every fieb is a ceime jn our country, as it is in 
 some countries of Europe; and if those in whose homes, barns or places of business 
 where fires originate should be lield responsible for their acts when those acts 
 result in injury to their neighbours ; or are the result of gross carelessness, culpable 
 neglect or mischievous intent, there would be fewer fires. The Fire Tax would be 
 less, and Canada would be richer to the extent of Millions of dollars every year. 
 
 The elementary principle of justice that an individual should be responsible 
 to others for his acts when those acts result in injury to his neighbour is' as old as 
 tlie Mosaic Law. The liability for fire is recorded in Exodus xxii. 6 : 
 
 " If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks . of corn, or the 
 standing corn, ... be consumed therewith; he that kindled the fire shall 
 .surely make restitution." 
 
 The fire waste in Ontario, not including forest fires, for the year : 
 
 1916 was $16,520,206, causedT by 10,2^^9 fires. 
 
 1917 was $10,365,539, caused by 9,681 fires. 
 '. 1918 was $14,856,329, caused by 9,588 fires. 
 
 This means a tax of $6.00 per capita for every -man, woman, and child in the 
 Province ; or $30.00 a year for a family of five. It means that the fire wSistp of 
 Ontario exceeds $40,000 every da\-. 
 
 In normal times the fire waste in five of the principal countries of Europe 
 averaged 33c. per capita. 
 
 Oean-up the Barn 
 
 It is an easy matter for you to put your farm barn in what might reasonably 
 be called perfect physical condition as regards fire hazards if it is well built, on 
 good foundations, metal or other non-inflammable roof, properly ventilated, 
 painted, has no stoves or fire heat, electric wiring approved by Hydro Inspector, 
 not used as a garage ; no gasoline, coal ml or other volatile oil kept in it, proper 
 hooks for lanterns, is kept shut and locked at night, and equipped with properly 
 installed lightning rods ; or if a metal roof is used see that it is properly grounded. 
 
 NO SMOKING IN THE BARN 
 
 It is assumed that 50 per cent, of fires with " Cause 
 unknown " in barns can be charged to the foolishness of 
 smoking in them. 
 
 Loose Matches 
 
 Matches should not be carried loose in a man's pocket, 
 
 A match may easily be dropped in the hay or other in- 
 
 fiammable material and if stepped on cause a fire. Avoid 
 
 the danger of burning up your buildings and stock by not 
 
 ^' fptr^iSlre'^oit.*'^' . ^^^ving matches loose. 
 
Sparks from Locomotive 
 
 If near a railroad the buildings should be covered with metal or other non- 
 inflammable roofing, and no doors or windows should be left open where sparks 
 might blow in. 
 
 A furrow- or two of turned land next to the railway right-of-way . will save 
 pasturage, hay, and green crops from destruction by fire. 
 
 Burning Brush 
 
 Brush or rubbish should not be burned within 300 feet of the barn, and never 
 when there is' a high wind. 
 
 Ontario Barn Fires— $91,000 a month 
 
 During 1918 there were 836 barns burned in Ontario, causing a loss of 
 $1,093,931. The buildings destroyed were valued at $677,096 and their cpntents 
 at $416,835. 
 
 The farmers were reimbursed by the insurance companies to the extent of 
 $640,814, and were burdened with a direct loss of $453,117 as a result of these barn 
 fires, and this in addition to the fires which occurred in dwellings. 
 
 Many have the false idea that it is^the insurance companies that pay this 
 colossal tax. The insurance companies collect the premiums and distribute them 
 as fire losses. The greater the fire loss the more they must collect. If they col- 
 lected less than they pay out they would soon be bankrupt. 
 
 The greater the fire loss the more the people are assessed to pay for it, and 
 the less they have to spend for other things. 
 
 , In addition to having chemical fire extinguishers, in the dwelling and farm 
 buildings-, it is well to have fire buckets fiUed with water located in convenient 
 places. Bi-carbonate of soda is a fire hiller. For effective work put % to % lb. of 
 bi-carbonate of soda to the gallon of water in yoUr fire pails. 
 
 GASOLINE 
 
 With the increasing use of gasoline and other fuels that are dangerous because 
 of their ready inflammability, there is each year an increasing number of accidents 
 and .fires that cause loss of life and'great damage to property. 
 
 The following is clipped from one "of the Toronto newspapers and shows what 
 is happening from day to day throughout the country. We could give many other 
 graphic illustrations, but space forbids : 
 
 BURNED IN EXPLOSION 
 
 " Guelph, Nov. 35. — As the result of a gasoline explosion a young man 
 named Ivan Pelker is laid up suffering from severe burns. Mr. Morris, who 
 owns a grocery store on Perth Street, keeps his car in the barn, and he went 
 out, accompanied by Felker and Harry Duffield, with a three-gallon can of' 
 gasqjine to put in the car. Young Felker carried the lantern, and as soon as 
 the cap was taken off the tank of the car the fumes of the two gallons of 
 gasoline already in the car exploded and there was a sheet of flame, setting 
 fire to the car and also the clothing of all three. Felker was terribly burned 
 about the legs, arms and face, while both Mr. Morris and Duffield were also 
 severely burned about the face and hands. The car was ruined and the barn 
 damaged to the extent of $500." 
 
Lighting and Cooking 
 
 In gasoline lighting and cooking systems there are many hazards that can be 
 introduced by faulty design and construction of apparatus. Among these .are 
 corrodible material, improperly made joints, and valves of poor design. 
 
 Cleaning 
 
 Many fires originate from the cleaning of silks with gasoline, the violent 
 rubbing of the silk generating static electricity, which produces a spark that 
 ignites the vapor. 
 
 Fires are caused by using gasoline in an open vessel and smoking a cigar or 
 cigarette at the same time. Don't take a chance. 
 
 Automobiles 
 
 A dangerous practice is the cleaning of auto parts with gasoline from an 
 open can. A spark may be caused by striking two pieces of metal together, by the 
 ignition system on the automobile when the starting crank is turned, and in other 
 ways. For instance, a nut that was stuck was struck with a wrench, causing a 
 spark, and instantly the car was enveloped in flames. 
 
 Oily Waste 
 
 Oily waste should at all times be placed in a safe metal 
 receptacle with automatic closing cover to avoid the danger 
 _ of spontaneous combustion. Better still is to destroy the oily 
 waste or rags and not leave them around the house or barn. 
 
 Oily waste will decay, smolder, and in time burst into 
 flames. 
 
 Sawdust 
 
 Sawdust is just as dangerous as oily waste and is liable 
 to cause spontaneous combustion when soaked with oil drip- 
 pings. Its use around the building should be forbidden. 
 
 Keep oily rags 
 metal cans. 
 
 Sand 
 
 It is well to have some sand around the garage. It can be used for putting 
 out a gasoline fire and is a safe material to use as an absorbant of oil. 
 
 Chemical Fire Extinguisher 
 
 Chemical fire extinguishers, of approved design, should be kept in convenient 
 places, and one should always be kept in the automobile. 
 
 You cannot put the responsibility up to a well equipped fire department to 
 protect your life and property. You must have your own fire fighting equipment 
 ' — and it must be always ready and efficient. All fires are small when they start. 
 Attack the seat of the fire at once. It is the first two or three minutes that count 
 for most. 
 
 Open Lights 
 
 No open light or flame of any kind nor any machine or belt capable of pro- 
 ducing a spark should -be allowed .in the room where gasoline is being used. 
 
10 
 
 Shaftmg Should Be Grounded 
 
 All E^iafting and machines with belts that are liable to cause a static electric 
 spark should be well grounded. The gearing of a wind-mill, if not properly in mesh, 
 or not taken care of, may cause a fire. 
 
 Danger Signs 
 
 Wherever gasoline is stored, danger signs should be posted on the doorsj. 
 warning against the carrying of lights of any kind. 
 
 Why Take a Chance.? 
 
 Gkisoline vapor is heavier than air, consequently it will float along near the 
 ground and may carry 30 feet, or more, and under favorable conditions ignite. 
 
 One gallon of gasoline has substantially the power equal to 83 to 88 3-3 pounds 
 of dynamite. Gasoline will give off 130 times its bulk in vapor ; and when vaporized 
 will convert 1,560 times its volume of air into an explosive mixture, which will 
 ignite from a flame or spark. 
 
 Five gallons of gasoline will generate 8,000 cubic feet of gas; or enough to 
 fill a room ^0 x 40 feet and 10 feet high. When ignited it immediately expands to 
 four thousand times that space. This would cause a most destructive explosion 
 with probable loss of life. 
 
 Store Underground 
 
 When large quantities of gasoline are used the main supply should be stored 
 in a metal tank buried underground and a safe distance from buildings. 
 
 Don't Make a Garage of Your Barn 
 
 Automobiles, gas engines and tractors should be- kept in isolated buildings as 
 far from the barn as possihle. The number of automobiles owned hy the farmers is 
 steadily increasing and the fire hazard on the farm is increased accordingly. 
 
 It is an extremely dangerous thing to keep an auto or run a gasoline engine in 
 the barn. Why should you take the chance of loosing your season's crops — cattle, 
 horses, machinery and buildings from a back-fire or gasoline explosion. 
 
 " Safety First" 
 
 DUST DANGERS 
 
 Dust Explosions 
 
 A dust explosion is very similar to a gas explosion, except that particles of 
 dust are a little bit larger than the gas particles. 
 
 As with gas — there must be a proper mixture of dust and air and a spark or 
 flame present whieh has sufficient heat to ignite the dust before to explosion can. 
 occur. 
 
 The finer the dust the more easily it is ignited and the more disastrous the- 
 explosion. ^ .*- 
 
 A pile of dust in a room or a sack or barrel of flour, or any other finely pulver- 
 ized carbonaceous material will not explode so long as it stays in the pile or sack. 
 It must be in suspension as a cloud m the air and the cloud be sufficiently dense 
 before it can be ignited and the flame propagate through the cloud with explosive 
 force. 
 
11 
 
 Dust Explosions in Threshing Machines 
 
 According to the records of the U. S. Department of Agriculture there was a 
 severe epidemic of dust explosions in threshing machines in a large Wheat growing 
 section of the Pacific North-west during the threshing season of 1914. It has been 
 estimated that there were over 300 explosions during the season. 
 
 During the 191'5 threshing season 166 explosions were personally investigated 
 by representatives of the department. During the 1916 and 1911' seasons there 
 were about 150 dust explosions. The estimated loss from dust explosion in this 
 section from 1914 to 1917 inclusive amounted to $1,500,000. 
 
 Investigations developed the fact that the season of 1914 was unusually dry 
 at the time of threshing — the humidity of the atmosphere was very low, and that 
 there were large quantities of smut almost invariably present in the grain being 
 threshed at the time of the explosions; together with the presence of very large 
 amounts of static electricity in the machines at the time of operation, . 
 
 No Explosions on Grounded Machines 
 
 It is of interest to note that during the past four years no explosions have 
 occurred in threshing machines which have been properly grounded to remove the 
 static electricity. 
 
 Automatic Chemical Fire Extinguisher 
 
 There may be other reasons for the ignition of the dust — such as sparks caused 
 by stone and metal passing through the cylinder. Consequently an Automatic 
 Chemical Fire Extinguisher has been developed for use on machines. This has 
 proved to be very effective, and no machine has been destroyed which has been 
 equipped with this device. 
 
 Suction Fan 
 
 To further prevent explosions the suction fan with dust collecting attachment 
 has been devised for threshing machines which will pull the dust out of the machine 
 just behind the cylinder where most of it is raised. The suction fan has also proved 
 valuable in cleaning grain and in preventing the dissemenation of smut. 
 
 Dust Explosions in Mills 
 
 Dust explosions have caused the destruction of millions of dollars' worth of 
 property in grain and cereal plants, flour mills and sugar refineries. 
 
 Prevention 
 
 These three measures have been tried in the field and found very effective : — 
 
 (1) The installation of an effective fire extinguisher, designed for threshing 
 machines, which, in the event of a fire, not only saves the machine, but prevents the 
 spreading of flames to the nearby grain, straw and barn. 
 
 (2) The installation of an exhaust fan to collect and remove smut and dust 
 from the separator, thus preventing the formation of an explosive mixture of 
 dusts. 
 
 (3) The installation of an efficient grounding system for the removal of static 
 electricity from the machine. 
 
1? 
 
 FIRES CAUSED BY STEAM THRESHERS 
 
 The Harrison Review, of October Ytth,, gives the following graphic description 
 of a fire caused by sparks from a threshing machine : — 
 
 " A number of men were engaged filling a large cement silo. ... A 
 threshing engine placed contiguous to the barn furnished power. ... A spark 
 from the engine was blown through a crack into the barn. ... In less time 
 than it takea you to scan this description the whole interior was a mass of 
 flames. Two men barely escaped with their lives; one was badly burned. . . . 
 It was only by heroic efforts that the substantial residence was saved. Many • 
 barns are being burned by similar accidents, and the Provincial Fire Marshal 
 might with propriety suggest some safeguards against their recurrence." 
 
 Yes 1 many reports are received of somewhat similar instances of gross careless- 
 ness. Such occurrences are not " accidents." Simple precautionary measures as pro- 
 vided by law would prevent fires of this character. 
 
 Eails, jack piae, soft coal, etc., are used for firing the engines, and every man 
 who runs a threshing machine knows that they send out sparks. He also knows, or 
 ought to know, that a screen placed on the smoke box, if kept in good order, will 
 prevent the engine from emitting sparks and starting a fire. 
 
 The Law Provides the Safeguard 
 
 " Every manufacturer of steam threshing engines shall provide each 
 ;' engine with an eificient spark arrester before selling or disposing of the same; 
 and no person shall use or run any steam threshing engine unless it is pro- 
 vided with such spark arrester, and every owner or other person using or 
 running the engine, shall keep the spark arrester at all times when the engine 
 is in use in proper working order. 
 
 " (1) Every manufacturer who sells or disposes of a steam threshing 
 engine without an efficient spark arrester shall incur a peoalty of not more 
 than $20 or less than $5. 
 
 " (3) Every person using or running a steam threshing engine not pro- 
 vided with such spark arrester, or wilfully using or running a steam threshing 
 engine not having the spark arrester in proper working order, shall incur a 
 penalty of not more than $20 or less than $5 for every day he so uses such 
 steam threshing engine. _ 
 
 " All penalties imposed by this Act shall be recoverable under the provi- 
 sions of the Ontario Summary Convictions Act. 
 
 -"One-half the fine when recovered shall belong to the informer and the 
 other half to the treasurer of the municipality where the offence is tried." 
 
 The law also requires the owners of threshing and. other machines to guard 
 against accidents, and stipulates what provision must be made to prevent injury to 
 the operator or persons who may be near the machinery. 
 
13 
 
 HOW THE HOUSEWIFE MAY PREVENT FIRES 
 
 Fireproofing Clothing and Decorations 
 
 It is a simple tiling to make decorations fire-proof and especially is this 
 necessary, and should be compulsory, in the case of public festivities, as, for in- 
 stance, where a number of children are gathered together for the annual Christmas 
 tree fete. The following is a simple and yet absolutely efficient means of making 
 decorations, cotton, wool, etc., non-inflammable: — 
 
 Fireproofing Solution 
 
 Commercial ammonium phosphate, one pound. 
 Water, one gallon. 
 
 Fabrics, immersed in this solution, slightly wrung, and dried will not ignite 
 when touched with flame, and furthermore, when placed directly in flames, 
 the material will only char, and upon removal there will be no smouldering fire. 
 To obtain these results care must be exercised to see that the fabric is completely 
 saturated with the fireproofing solution and that sufficient of the absorbed solution 
 TG^iiains in the fabric, so that after wringing, and upon evaporation of the water, 
 ample ammonium phosphate remains on the fibre to fireproof it. Ammonium 
 phosphate in addition to its great fireproofing qualities has the power to render the 
 dye fast. 
 
 The solution may be mixed in larger or smaller quantities so long as the same 
 proportion of ingredients is used; that 'is, one pound of commercial ammonium 
 phosphate to oiie gallon or ten pounds of water, making it a ten per cent, solution. 
 The solution is harmless and is not injurious to the skin. It may be used for a 
 variety of fire-proofing purposes where cotton, wool or silk materials are worn or 
 used near fire, especially where persons are working near furnaces or open flames. 
 Curtains, draperies, children's clothes and decorations of all kinds in houses as well 
 as in stores and hotels should be fireproofed. 
 
 When a fabric that is fireproofed is immersed in this solution, do not wring 
 it out any more than you would wool underwear when washing in the usual way. 
 
14 
 
 They are homeless now. 
 
 Two Out of Three Fires Occur in Our Homes 
 
 The frequent occurrence of fires in dwellings is a 
 matter that must receive more careful attention on the 
 part of householders. Statistics show that sixty-four (64) 
 per cent, of all our fires, or, practically two out of every 
 three^ occur in the homes of the people. This is a terrible 
 indictment on our mode of life, and is the result of our 
 careless habits. 
 
 It is also a fact that men, women and children are 
 equally guilty of causing this enormous fire waste. The 
 careless manner in which coal- oil lamps and Candles are 
 used; and lighted matches and cigarette butts are thrown 
 around is sufficient evidence to show that our ^habits" 
 must be changed. 
 
 Carry rubbish out of 
 the attic. 
 
 SUGGESTIONS 
 
 Keep attics and cellars, yards and outbuildings clear of rubbish and inflam- 
 mable material. 
 
 Do not start a bonfire near the house, fence or out- 
 buildings, and never when the wind is blowing. 
 
 Do not heap up the grate and then go away and leave 
 tthe fire. All open fires should be screened. 
 
 Chimneys should rise at least three feet above the roof. 
 
 Be sure the chimney is safe and clean; and that all 
 flue holes not in use are covered with tight metal caps. 
 Should any be left open a sudden pressure of air from 
 heavy winds will force sparks into the room. 
 
 Never place paper near or over a flue opening. 
 p See that all stove pipes are clean and free from rust holes. 
 
 The floor underneath and surrounding the stove should be protected with a 
 metal plate; and wooden partitions or other inflammable material near gloves or 
 pipes should be covered wi^ asbestos and with sheet metal gu'ard. Leave an air 
 space of at least two inches between the metal and the woodwork. 
 
 Where stove pipes run through fToors or walls they 
 should be protected with metal ventilated thimble or collar, 
 so as to leave an air space between the pipe and the wood 
 or lath and plaster, through which the pipe passes. 
 
 Eeplace all cracked or broken mica windows in 
 stoves. 
 
 Examine grates and firepot carefully to see that no 
 parts are cracked, broken, or out of place. 
 
 It is well to have the fewest possible number of elbows, 
 «nd these should be placed at an a,ngle of forty-five degrees 
 to avoid horizontal runs of pipe, which collect Boot and 
 shut off draft. 
 
 Bear in mind that soft coal ignites faster than hard 
 The floor covering must i 
 
 extend beyonfl the stove. ^""'- 
 
15 
 
 Watch careless smokers. 
 
 Keep matches in a 
 
 To prevent overheated stoves it is necessary to watch the fire and drafts more 
 carefully when burning soft coal or wood. 
 
 If you smell gas, open the window and turn off the 
 gas at the meter. Don't go looking for a leak with 
 an open light. . . . "Willoughby struck a match 
 and there was a terrific explosion, throwing him 
 with great violence against a stone wall. . . . Wm. 
 Hoover was also killed in this cellar by a gas explosion." — 
 St. Thomas despatch to a Toronto paper. 
 
 It is dangerous to leave jets or gas stoves burning 
 over night. 
 
 Do away with swinging brackets and rubber gas tubes 
 from the house. 
 All gas connections should be of metal pipe with air tight joints. 
 If you smell smoke, investigate until you find the cause. 
 
 If you are using an electric iron, etc., and are called away, turn off the 
 current, as otherwise the iron may become overheated and start a fire. A fire in 
 London on November 15 was caused by an electric iron, with loss amounting to 
 inore than $8,500. 
 
 Never fill a lamp except in daylight. See that the burner is clean and that the 
 wiek fits, properly. It is dangerous to leave a lamp burning all night, especially 
 if it is dirty or made of glass. 
 
 Use nothing but "Strike on the Box" safety matches. 
 metal receptacle out of the reach of children. 
 
 Caution children against playing with fire or lighted 
 matches. 
 
 For lighting gas use a metal " friction lighter," it is 
 both safe and cheap. An automatic push button in con- 
 nection with a "pilot light" is a safe way to light gas 
 stoves ; or use an electric lighter. 
 
 Keep matches out of the pockets of clothes hung in 
 closets. They may cause a fire by spontaneous combustion. 
 
 Use metal cans for ashes. Never put ashes in wooden 
 receptacles or pile them up against wood. 
 
 Get rid of rats and mice. They are disease carriers and their nests are fire- 
 traps. 
 
 - Never use gasoline in the house. 
 
 Use an electric flash light rather than an open flame in looking for articles, 
 especially in clothes closets. 
 
 Never light a fire with coal oil or throw coal oil on a fire to quieken it. It 
 may cost you your life. 
 
 Never hang clothes to dry near the stove or grate. 
 
 Paper shades on electric globes invite fire. 
 
 Oily waste or rags used in polishing furniture or cleaning machinery, if left 
 around the house, are liable to cause a fire from spontaneous combu^^. An oily 
 mop has been known to ignite from spontaneous combustion within one hour. ^ 
 
 Don't l&t the baby play 
 with matehes. 
 
16 
 
 It is dangerous to have incubators or brooders kept in use in the cellar or other 
 rooms of the house. 
 
 Smoking in bed, putting a lighted pipe in coat pocket or leaving lighted pipe, 
 cigar or cigarette stubs lying around the house are extremely dangerous habits and 
 invite disaster. 
 
 Provide a metal receptacle for cigar and pipe ashes, 
 cigarette butts and matches. Make it a rule that they 
 must' not be thrown around the house but placed in the 
 receptacle provided for them. Never .throw a match, 
 cigarette butt or cigar ashes in a waste paper basket. 
 
 These are simple precautionary measures and their 
 
 observance would do much to change our careless habits. 
 
 It would tend largely to reduce that terrible record of 
 
 having two out of every three fires that occur originate in 
 Never put ashes In wooder t, 
 
 barrels or boxes. OUr homeS. 
 
 COAL OIL 
 
 A common source of fire, often with attendant loss of life, is the use of coal 
 oil in lighting fires in the ordinary cooking or heating stoves. 
 
 Don't Pour Coal Oil in the Stove 
 
 'Coal oil should never be poured in a stove in which, there is a spark of fire; 
 neither should it be used in a stove in which the fire is out, but in which parts of 
 the stove are still warm. The only safe way is not to use it for either starting or 
 quickening a fire. 
 
 Filling Lamps and Stoves 
 
 (Never fill a coal oil lamp, oil stove or heater while it is lighted. Don't 
 fill it too full. Leave a little room for the air to expand. 
 
 Coal oil lamps made of metal with heavy bases are safer and more preferable 
 to lamps made of gla§s. 
 
 Most fires from coal oil are due to the use of glass lamps. 
 
 Oil stoves left alone and with children have taken both property and life as toll. 
 
 Keep the Lamps Clean 
 
 Keep the burner of- your lamp clean and the wick 
 trimmed. The common cause of odour from lamps and 
 overheating fonts are the clogging of the tiny air holes at 
 the base of the burner under the cap and the crust which 
 forms at the top of the wick tube. 
 
 Boil burners occasionally in a solution of sal soda 
 and water, which will soften and aid in removing the 
 crust. 
 
 types of lamps. 
 
 Wrong. Hl&ht. 
 
17 
 
 Keep Oil in Safe Place 
 
 Keep your coal oil can in a safe place, preferably outside the house, and never 
 allow the floor around the can to become saturated with oil. 
 
 Never use an oil can in an emergency for gasoline nor a gasoline can for oil. 
 Paint the gasoline can " BED.'" 
 
 IN CASE OF FIRE 
 
 Don't get excited. Keep cool and attack the seat of the fire at once. Always 
 have a bucket of water (containing bi-carbonate of soda in saturated solution) and 
 a chemical fire extinguisher within easy reach. 
 
 The tubes of dry powder sold as fire extinguishers are practically useless. 
 Don't buy them. They won't give you protection. 
 
 There are several liquid chemical fire extinguishers on the market that contain 
 carbon tetrachloride as the extinguishing fluid. They are reliable and easily 
 handled. 
 
 Care should be exercised in buying fire extinguishers to see that the containers 
 are made of copper; as steel and iron will corrode and render the extinguisher use- 
 less inside of a year or' two. 
 
 The standard types of fire extinguishers bear the labels of the Underwriter^' 
 Laboratories, which insure their efficiency, construction and material. 
 
 QUICK ACTION IS WHAT COUNTS 
 
 A fire may easily be quenched at its incipiency by the vigorous use of a 
 broom kept thoroughly wet; or by being smothered by the application of wet 
 blankets, rugs, sacks, etc. 
 
 A lamp or oil-stove fire may be smothered by throwing a quantiiy of flour or 
 sand on the blaze. Don't throw water on coal oil or gasoline. 
 
 A Chimney Fire 
 
 May be extinguished by pouring buckets of sand or 
 earth down the chimney or by igniting a handful or two 
 of common powdered sulphur in the chimney. Close all 
 openings, and if there is an open grate hang a wet blanket 
 in front of the fireplace so as the sulphur fumes will go up 
 the chimney. The sulphur forms sulphurous acid with the 
 oxygen of the air and thus renders the latter incapable of 
 supporting combustion. 
 
 In Escaping from a Fire 
 
 put a wet handkerchief in your mouth, creep or crawl 
 along the room with your *f ace close to the ground. Chil- 
 dren should be taught to press out a spark instantly if 
 one catches in their clothing and also that running into the ^'"°*'ing"wnhT'?uV°**'' 
 air will cause it to blaze immediately. 
 
18 
 
 FIRE PREVENTION DAY 
 
 October 9th has been adopted by general consent as 
 Fire Prevention Day throughout North America. 
 
 An opportunity is thus afforded everyone to co-operate 
 in the great Clean-up Campaign and hdp awaken in the 
 public mind a universal watchfulness against careless 
 habits that are causing the impoverishment bi our country 
 through the enormous waste caused by preventable fires. 
 
 It was on October 9th, 1871, that Mrs. O'Leary'fi cow 
 kicked over a lamp and started Chicago'si great conflagra- 
 tion, which consumed 18,000 houses 
 extending over an area of more than 
 2,000 acres. Two hundred persons 
 perished and nearly 100,000 were 
 rendered homeless. The property burned was estimated at 
 two hundred million dollars. 
 
 Like other fires it was small when it started; and like the- 
 majority of fires, it was the result of carelessness. 
 
 Lanterns are safe only when clean, well trimmed, well 
 filled, free from leaks and hung on hooks out of the wind, 
 away from hay, cobwebs, other combustibles, and out of reach 
 of horses and cattle. "^^"^^ iTnu™s. """'' 
 
 It is Important to have 
 Clean basements. 
 
 LIGHTNING 
 
 The Great Annual Loss Caused by Lightning — Can and Should Be Prevented 
 
 -Knowing that lightning strikes and that your dwelling or barn may be the 
 next, the wise man wiU protect his property — stock and crops — ^from destruction, 
 , by equipping his buildings with properly installed lightning rods. 
 Ifs the unexpected that happens. Do it now! 
 
 Losses Caused by Lightning 
 
 During the year 1918 there were 1,151 fires caused by lightning in Ontario, 
 with a total loss of $5l3,145; of these 985 were in rural districts, entailing a loss of 
 $491,910. 
 
 The value of Qie farm buildings destroyed was $319,715, and the value of farm 
 produce and other contents included in this preventable waste was $173,195. 
 ■^ Now, Mr. Farmer, you paid your share of this tax. The insurance companies, 
 as collecting agencies, distributed out of the premiums paid by you and others, the 
 sum of $333,177. 
 
 In addition to this enormous sum the farmers whose property was destroyed 
 by lightning suffered a direct loss of $169,733. 
 
 Our records show that only three of the buildings were rodded and the loss or 
 damage to two of these amounted to only $28, and the third is under investi^Uon. 
 
 Eods, properly installed, are more than 99 per cent, efficiraat. 
 
19 
 
 Rodded Buildings Immune 
 
 In the year 19111 out of a total of over 1,600 lightning fires, causing a loss of 
 $660,164, in no ease was the building which was struck equipped with properly 
 installed lightning rods. 
 
 Prom the reports of losses by fire through known causes, sustained by Mutual 
 Insurance Companies in Ontario for the year 1917 no less than 51 per cent., or 
 more than half, of the total amount was lost through fires caused by lightning. 
 
 WHY ALL THIS UNNECESSARY WASTE 
 WHEN IT CAN BE PREVENTED? 
 
 Surely it is not necessary to give any further facts or figures to show how 
 essential it is to have all farm buildings properly rodded so as to protect life and 
 property from destruction. 
 
 If the buildings that were struck in 1918 had been rodded the farmers of 
 Ontario would be richer to the extent of nearly half a million dollars. 
 
 LIGHTNING RODS— THEIR EFFICIENCY AND INSTALLATION 
 
 W. H. Day, 
 
 Professor of Physics, Ontario Agricultaral- OoUeec, Ouelph 
 
 As a comprehensive conclusion from our investigations, which began in 1901, 
 we have found that if all the buildings in rural Ontario were rodded from 95 to 
 100 per cent, of the annual damage to buildings by lightning would be prevented. 
 The method by which this conclusion was arrived at was as follows: In 1913 
 eighteen insurance companies in Ontario kept special records for us. From their 
 reports we learned that out of every 7,000 unrodded buildings insured by them 
 37 were struck by lightning, while in every 7,000 rodded ones only 2 were struck 
 by lightning. The rods prevented damage in 35 cases out of an expectancy of 37, 
 showing an efficiency of 94.7 per cent. In the rodding covered by these reports 
 there was doubtless some that was improperly done. With proper rodding the per- 
 centage is considerably higher, frequently exceeding 99 per cjent. Indeed, the 
 efficiency in Ontario in 1914 was 99.8; and 99.9 in 1915, in spite of some improper 
 rodding known to exist in the Province. These higher figures "have been well 
 borne out by more recent investigations in various quarters. Thus hundreds of 
 thousands of dollars would be saved to the farmers of Ontario every year if all the 
 rural buildings were rodded. 
 
 Lightning rods are a better investment than insurance. 'VVTien they save a 
 building, the farmer's only loss is the interest on the price of his rods. Under 
 insurance in case of fire, he loses at least one-third of the value of his buildings 
 together with his premiums. Eods do not eliminate the necessity for insurance-^ 
 it is needed to protect against causes of fire other than lightning. 
 
 Kind of Rods 
 
 Oopper rods are the. most durable and therefore the best, although any metal 
 will flo the work as long as in proper condition; but iron rusts off at the ground 
 and aluminum also corrodes under certain conditions. A rod composed of two 
 metals, one wrapped around the other, is especially objectionable. ' 
 
20 
 
 How to Rod 
 
 All rods should be grounded 8 feet deep. Prom the ground the cable should 
 run up the corner of the building, over the eave, up the edge of the roof, to the 
 peak, along the peak, down to the opposite eave and into the ground at the opposite 
 corner diagonally opposite the first. Points should be^ placed every twenty or 
 twenty-five feet along the peak, also on chimneys, dormers, etc. All .parts of the 
 system should be connected together, also metallic parts of the structure should be 
 connected to the rods. 
 
 Silos should be roddefd. 
 
 Metal roofed buildings with the m'etal properly grounded, and points on the 
 peak are also well protected against lightning. A metal roofed building insures 
 further protection from fire that might be caused by flying sparks. 
 
 Wire Fences 
 
 It is the nature of horses and cattle to drift with a storm until something 
 stops them, and usually they line up with their heads close to the wire fence. These 
 wires become live wires during an electric storm. Lightning may strike the fence 
 some distance away, and the easiest way to the ground would be to follow along 
 the fence to the stock and ground through their bodies, thus possibly killing many 
 at a time. "^ 
 
 A wire fence should be properly grounded at least every ten to twenty rods, 
 and in barn yards or small yards were cattle are herded, at every corner. Where 
 fences are connected with a building there should be a grounding at the first post 
 from the building, and, moreover, the ground-rod from the buildiLg should be 
 connected with the fence. 
 
 The fence grounding should consist of a rod or cable equal to three number 
 twelve wires or one number nine wire stapled over or- connected with eaph lateral 
 wire of the fence and extending at least three feet into the ground. If the ground 
 wires are allowed to project a few inches above the fence, strokes are prevented in 
 the vicinity just as by points on a building. The fence grotindings should be made 
 of the same material, as the fence wires. 
 
 Shade Trees 
 
 Where there are a few trees under which stock gather for protection it would 
 be both wise and feasible to rod the trees. The same principles apply here as in 
 general rodding. 
 
 Fuller directions for rodding, also the treatment of the entire subject of 
 lightning rods will be found in Bulletin No. 220 of the Department of Agriculture. ' 
 It will be sent free on application. 
 
 WHAT A MOTOR PUMP CAN DO IN THE COUNTRY 
 
 Fire Chief Phillips, of the Soo, in reporting a fire which occurred on January 
 6th, makes the following comment : 
 
 " The Eeeve of Kerah Township called me by 'phone asking if I could 
 come out and try and save a farmer's house about a mile from the city 
 limits. I took our new Motor Pumper and went out and found a little 
 stream of water near the house where we ptit the pumper to work and saved 
 r three parts of the house and all his barns and sheds. The snow was about 
 eiglfl;een inches deep but the truck made it fine, which demonstrates Tvhat 
 these Motor Pumpers can do." 
 
21 
 
 ELECTRICITY ON THE FARM 
 
 H. P. Stuickla-n^d, 
 
 Chief Elcctiical Inspector, Hydio-Electiic Power Commission of Ontario 
 
 Th» Electrical Inspection Department of the Hydro-Electric Power Commis- 
 sion receives many applications for the inspection of farm buildings. Since elec- 
 trical inspection has been in operation considerable attention has been devoted to 
 the proper wiring of these buildings. i 
 
 Some barns were wired up before the Inspection Department became active, 
 and the district inspectors in whose territory these barns are located are instructed 
 to go over them now and make sure that the work has been maintained in a safe 
 condition. Before long complete inspections will be made of each of these farm 
 installations, and owners will be given written reports showing what is necessary 
 to be done to remove any possible danger which has been introduced either through 
 original faulty work or subsequent inherent defects which may have , developed. 
 
 Safety in the Use of Electric Light 
 
 The Commission considers that the greatest care' should be exercised in elec- 
 trical installations in barns. It is generally conceded by authorifties that electric 
 light is infinitely safer around^ a barn than coal oil lamps, or any other form of 
 artificial lighting. The Inspection Department has examined many very fine barn 
 installations. In some cases where the expense is not seriously considered by the 
 farmer the entire farm buildings have been wired throughout in the very best form 
 of conduit wiring. There is nothing which can be adopted which will give more 
 permanent and lasting satisfaction, both as to convenience and safety, than a first- 
 class installation of rigid galvanized conduit. 
 
 Tlie Commission's Begulations require that conduit be installed always in the 
 upper portion of the barn, i.e., the hay mow, as it would be impossible to properly 
 protect open wiring in such a place if any other form of construction were adopted. 
 
 Switch May Cause Fire or Explosion if Improperly Located 
 
 Care should always be exercised in locating switches and cutouts. The wires 
 in an electrical installation are probably the least dangerous part of the installation. 
 It is at the point of issue and control where the chief danger lies. In every-day 
 language this means thali the points where switches are located, where there is 
 more or less arcing or sparking produced during the operation of the switch, are 
 dangerous, and under no condition should these switches be located in the imme- 
 diate vicinity of highly inflammable material, such as hay or in very dusty places, 
 or where gasoline is used. 
 
 Switches in Iron-Clad Box 
 
 Aipund the barn all switches should be in iron-clad boxes, externally 
 operated, and kept tightly closed at all times. This not only effectually encloses 
 any sparking of the switch, but it lessens the danger from jnechanical injury or 
 short circuit which 'would, no doubt, be the inevitable result if the knife switch 
 were placed in the open. 
 
 To the owners of farm buildings a warning is therefore issued not to permit 
 open switches, and if any of them are in bams they should take prompt steps to 
 have them replaced with the standard box switch. 
 
22 
 
 Importance of the Ground Wire ' 
 
 Where conduit wiring is installed great care should be taken to see that the 
 ground wire is kept in good order. This ground wire is one which, upon examin- 
 ation of the conduit installation, will be found securely strapped -to the conduit 
 pipe at some point with a copper clamp, and where there is underground water 
 piping it should be run right down and securely attached to the' water pipe. Where 
 there are no water pipes a rod or leiigth of pipe, about eight feet long, is generally 
 driven down into the ground its full length, unless in a permanently moist loca- 
 tion, where a lesser distance would do. The ground wire is then securely sweated 
 to this pipe. The object of this ground wire is to render this conduit safe, op, in 
 other words, prevent anyone from receiving a dangerous or fatal shock which might 
 be caused under certain conditions if the pipe were grasped by the bare hand while 
 standing on wet ground. This ground wire also possesses the function of autom- 
 atically cutting off the circuit in case a ground, or what might be termed a leakage, 
 should it occur on the system. Sometimes these ground wires appear to be of little 
 or no use to those who do not understand their nature, and a person might thought- 
 lessly put this wire out of commission or permit it to continue loose until some 
 danger had developed. An occasional examination of these ground wires is there- 
 fore recommended. 
 
 Proper Fusing of Cutouts 
 
 The fuse on an electi^ic light w power circuit performs the function, and is 
 the safety valve of your wiring. It is therefore of the utmost importance that this 
 safety valve be not tied up or prevepted from operating when the safety .point has 
 been passed. 
 
 In all wiring installations will be found what are known as Edison Plug Cut- 
 outs. These consist of a porcelain block with round brass plugs, which are familiar 
 to everyone who has had electric light in their houses. Either on the brass face of 
 these plugs or on the brass point will be found stamped in the metal the size or 
 rating of the plug, for instance, 5, lO, or 15 amperes.. Under no conditions existing 
 or likely to exist is it ever necessary, or permitted ty law to put larger than a 
 10 ampere plug in a branch electric light circuit. There is only one place in the 
 whole system where a larger plug is necessary, and that is in the main service 
 box. 
 
 If a 10 ampere fuse or plug continues to melt or "blow" on a branch circuit 
 it is the surest evidence that the circuit is either overloaded or that there ia some- 
 thing radically wrong. Do not under such conditions attempt to remedy the 
 troruble by inserting pieces o:5 copper wire, discarded pant buttons, mutilated coin 
 or other metallic objects for the purpose of bridging this fuse or you will incur a 
 serious danger. 
 
 The Eules and Eegulations of the Hydro-Electric Power Commission, which 
 govern all electrical installations in this Province, prohibit the filling of fuse 
 holders with anything but proper fuses, so that in addition to inertmng a cfanger, 
 offenders in this respect are liable to be prosecuted. When fuses continue fo Wow 
 and you are in doubt, send for a qualified~electrical wireman. 
 
23 
 
 Don't Overload a Circuit 
 
 Farmers are 'warned against th6 attaching of 
 heaters, washing machines, small portable motors, etc., 
 indiscriminately to their lamp sockets. A law has heen 
 passed making it a punishable offence to offer for sale 
 devices of this kind which are not approved by the 
 Commission, and even if they are approved, to advertise 
 that they may indiscriminately be used on any key 
 socket. Until quite recently this sort of pemieious 
 advertising has been carried to an alarming degree, 
 not only in Ontario but all over the Continent. Con- 
 victions have been obtained in police courts for viola- 
 tions of these rules. liTo one is more likely to be im- 
 posed upon in the sale of devices of this kind than the 
 farmer, who is generally more remote from the Inspec- 
 tion Department than the people in thickly populated 
 districts or municipalities. Farmers can protect them- 
 selves by demanding a guarantee from the vendor that 
 the electrical devices they are purchasing have been 
 formally submitted to and approved by the Hydro- 
 •Bleetric Power Commission. 
 
 Where a complete conduit installation might be too 
 expensive, it is permitted by the Commission's Regula- 
 tions to adopt what is known as first-class weatherproof 
 work in all places except the hay mow or upper portion 
 of the barn. This consists of running open wiring on 
 approved insulators with proper guardstrips or trotighs; 
 and what is known as weatherproof pigtail sockets and rubber-covered wire. The 
 details of this class of work are all familiar to first-class electrical contractors. 
 
 Stopy of a fire in two acts. 
 tJurrent not turned off. 
 Electric iron forgotten. 
 
 Employ a Qualified Electrician 
 
 In the letting of contracts for wiring, farmers are strongly urged to employ 
 only contractors who are well-qualified and recognized as such, or properly trained 
 electrical wiremen. There are many people around the country claiming to be 
 electricians, and it is very distressing to find that after a job has been about com- 
 pleted that it will not pass inspection. 
 
 The Commission's Electrical Inspection Department now covers the entire 
 Province of Ontario, with district ofiiees in all chief centres, and if the farmer 
 does not know the name of the inspector in the district, information regarding this 
 or any other question concerning electrical inspection can be obtained by com- 
 municating with the Hydro-Electric Power Commission, 190 University Avenue, 
 Toronto. 
 
 Don't Start Without a Permit 
 
 The inspection of all inside wiring in the Province of Ontario is administered 
 by the Hydro-Electric Power Commission, regardless of whether the power is sup- 
 plied by the Hydro, a private electric light company, or generated on the premiaes. 
 It is illegal for electrical work to he commenced in any building without a permit, 
 and all those about to undertake the installation of farm wiring should see to it 
 that their wireman or contractor has complied with the law in this respect. 
 
24 
 
 THE DESTRUCTION OF OUR FORESTS 
 
 A TWENTY-FIVE MILLION DOLLAR FIRE 
 
 Ten days before the great Minnesota underbrush fire, which did $35,000,000 
 property damage in that State, began to burn, according to " Fire Protection," one 
 of the State Forest Eangers -vn-ote to his State Headquarters that fires were^being 
 started faster than he could get to them, and " if the present vreather continues, the 
 fire question will soon be beyond all control so far as we are concerned. In a few 
 days there will be Just one continuous fire through this district." 
 
 In the thirty days previous to the fire, five convictions 
 were secured by one ranger in the forestry service for 
 violation of -the State order prohibiting starting of fires 
 without^ permission of the Forestry Service. 
 
 The forest rangers' system- in Minnesota was excellent 
 as far as it went, but it was pitifully inadequate. Some 
 raiigers have been compelled to patrol as many as forty-five 
 townships. 
 
 There is not ,the slightest foundation yet discovered 
 for believing that the fire was caused by fire bugs. 
 
 Hundreds of lives were lost ! Millions in property 
 destroyed! 
 
 The people is the Government. The people have been 
 indifferent. The people have been careless. The people 
 ^^•^^ *aVis°."^ ""^ have paid. 
 
 PREVENTION OF FOREST FIRES 
 
 E. J. Zavitz, 
 
 ProTincial Forester of Ontario 
 
 Forest regions, in a new country, always present serious problems from the 
 standpoint of fire prevention. The physical condition of the virgin forest with 
 years of accumulated debris creates a serious fire hazard. Add to this natural con- 
 dition the slash caused by timber, tie and pulp operators, and we find a fire hazard 
 in some regions which is unsurpassed in magnitude. 
 
 Within the last decade enormous areas in northern Ontario have been opened 
 up by new railway lines. These railways have passed through virgin forest regions 
 opening them to settlers, prospectors, and timber men, all careying in their wake 
 serious problems of forest fire prevention. 
 
 The protection of forest areas has made considerable advance in Canada during 
 the past decade. Ontario now, employs over 1.000 rangers or patrol men during the 
 maximum dry period. 
 
35 
 
 The first and most important factor in prevention of fire is education. The 
 settler, tourist, woodsman and others must be made to realise the vital importance 
 of preventing the destruction of the forests by fire. 
 
 Education through press articles, pamphlets, moving 
 pictures, and even % appeg,ls from the clergy is resorted to 
 in order to impress on the public its duty and responsibility 
 in preventing forest fires. 
 
 The school children, especially in forest regions, are 
 taught by suitable methods of the necessity of protecting 
 the forests. 
 
 Ontario has legislation which requires that a person 
 
 setting out fires during the dangerous season shall have a 
 
 written permit before a fire can be started. Permits are 
 
 issued by the forest ranger, and a staff of rangers is kept in 
 
 new settlements to enforce the regulations. It is intended 
 
 that the settler shall not be handicapped in clearing his 
 
 land and the ranger must be in close touch with the settler 
 
 makingflre. SO that he can obtain a permit with little trouble. .The 
 
 ■ advantage of the " permit system " is that indiscriminate 
 
 burning cannot take place, and the fire prevention service is responsible for all fires 
 
 burning within a given district. During the summer of 1918 about 10,000 permits 
 
 for burning were issued by the Forestry Branch officers. 
 
 1 During 1917 and 1918 about 50 per cent, of the fires occurring in forest 
 regions were caused by sparks from locomotives. 
 
 ' To prevent railway fires, the Forestry Branch works in co-operation with the 
 Board of Eailway Commissioners for Canada. Locomotives are inspected to insure 
 proper condition of screens and other fire preventive appliances. Eight-of-way con- 
 ditions in regard to grass burning, etc., are inspected, and patrols are placed along 
 railway lines where special hazards exist. 
 
 Another matter which is receiving attention is the fire hazard about towns and 
 settlements in forest regions. 
 
 The Forest Fires Prevention Act, 1917, empowers the Forestry Branch to 
 remove hazards from these localities. Surrounding many new settlements there 
 exists enormous quantities of slash and undergrowth which should be cleared away, 
 otherwise the danger from fire is very great, especially during a dry period. The 
 clearing and burning of such hazards should be done during favorable weather. 
 
 In addition to the patrol or ranger system and the various preventive measures 
 outlined, new methods of detecting and reporting fires are now being developed. 
 The common method of detection developed during the past decade has been 
 through the erection of lookout towers, so placed that large areas are under obser- 
 vation from these points. Where possible these lookout towers are connected up 
 with sources of assistance by telephone. 
 
 Some experiments at fire detection by aeropliane have been made, and it is 
 possible that the air service will revolutionize the work of protection from forest 
 fires. The great problem, however, is to reach and extinguish such fires before they 
 get beyond control. 
 
 Mechanical appliances have been developed to assist in fire fighting, and the ^ 
 Ontario Forestry Branch has installed a number of outfits in connection with this 
 bra-nch of the work. On some of the larger lakes power boats with pumps and hose 
 
36 
 
 are iastalled, which will control fires within 2,000 feet of the shores. Portable 
 gasoiine pumping units are also being used where water is avaOable. In much of 
 the territory, however, the only method of fighting fires that can be resorted to is the 
 use. of the shovel, grub hoe and axe. 
 
 "Take All Possible Precautions 
 
 With extreme dry weather and hot winds^many localities contain conditions 
 that make fire fighting very difficult. In ench localities if fire occurs it is frequently 
 a problem of escaping to shelter rather than fighting the fire. 
 
 Plans should be made in advance to meet all emergencies in case a fire gets 
 l)feyond control, so that loss of life can be prevented. It is difficult to outline the 
 precautions necessary to be taken, as local conditions control the methods to be 
 adopted. 
 
 In general, the forest ranger should be in touch with every settler in his 
 ■district and make sure that the settler knows what to do in case of emergency. 
 Many lives were lost in the 1916 fire, ovnng to lack of information. Many took 
 refuge in root cellars or wells and were suffocated. Few realized the value of 
 covering the head with wet blankets, so that the hot, dry air would not enter the 
 lungs, which in many cases was the chief cause of death. 
 
 The forest ranger in semi-settled districts carries a great responsibility and 
 should have the hearty co-operation of everyone to Peevbnt Fobbst FiBes. 
 
 MAKING WOOD FIRE RETARDANT 
 
 A number of diiferent chemicals have been used to make wood fire retardant 
 or non-inflammable J but its combustibility is not thereby destroyed. The wood 
 will smoulder slowly. 
 
 Probably the most efficient protection to wood — for interior use — is silicate of 
 soda. If boards or planks of moderate thickness are brushed three or four iimes 
 over on each side with a strong solution, they are rendered partially incombustible ; 
 ihey will, however, burn under intense heat. The silicate fuses and forms a glass 
 which envelops the surface, and even the internal fibres of the wood, if it is suffi- 
 ciently saturated, are thus sealed up from the oxygen of the air. 
 
 A treatment known as " Burnettizing " consists of immersing the timber in a 
 solution of zinc chloride. This tends to harden the wood and renders it partially 
 incombustible. 
 
 Asbestos paint is also used as a fire retardant. 
 
 PRIZES FOR ESSAYS 
 
 The writing of competitive essays in the various grades and forms of the schools 
 and colleges for prizes offered by public-spirited citizens or organizations is a 
 splendid means of educating the children and youth of our country in fire preven- 
 tion measures. If the prize winiiing articles are published in your local newspaper 
 the educative value of the competition is enhanced. The parents, as well as the 
 children, are reached in this way. 
 
27 
 
 SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION 
 Hay 
 
 Sometimes in his anxiety to get his crop of hay into the mow, before it is 
 properly cured, espiecially if it contains clover or alfalfa, or while it is in a "wet 
 condition, the farmer is willing to take a chance with the inviolable laws of nature 
 — hoping that it will not heat. 
 
 The- high prices of fodder and a bumper crop of hay are contributing factors 
 to the increase in fire waste from spontaneous combustion. The former necessitat- 
 ing the placing of hay in the barn and other buildings, and the latter requiring the 
 filling of all available space to the limit — resulting too often in lack of proper 
 Tentilation and sometimes storing hay in buildings with leaky roofs or with open- 
 ings not protected from the weather. 
 
 Greater care should be exercised in the curing of hay and more attention should be 
 given to the proper ventilation of the stack, barn or other building in which it is 
 stored. 
 
 Horses and cattle do not like to eat hay that has heated or is mildewed. 
 
 Sweating Hay- 
 It is an acknowledged fact that combustion will take place in hay not well 
 
 cured, and is the cause of many barn fires. 
 
 Hay or straw when thoroughly dried but which later become wet, will, if 
 
 densely packed, be liable to ignite spontaneously just the same as if it were densely 
 
 packed without having been thoroughly dried. 
 
 What is Spontaneous Combustion? 
 
 Spontaneous combustion may be explained as the ignition of a body by the in- 
 ternal development of heat without the action of an external agent. It frequently 
 takes place in oily waste or heaps of rags, wool or cotton soaked with oil; and in piles 
 of coal, especially fine, soft coal. In the case of oily waste it is caused by the lapid 
 spontaneous oxidation of oil, which raises the temperature sufficiently to make it 
 burst into flame. 
 
 Why Hay Heats 
 
 In hay the cells continue to live and fcathe for sometime after it is cut, and 
 . they alone in a close mow, heat the hay to a temperature of 133 deg. F, Added to 
 this is the heat from the microscopic spores of fungi which continue to grow in 
 the blades of hay during the period of fermentation. There is also the heat 
 generated by the development of the hay seeds, the alfalfa, or the clover, together 
 with the heat of the sun upon the roof and sides of the building. 
 
28 
 
 These various causes acting together may heat closely packed hay stored where 
 there is little or no ventilation to a temperature of S13 deg. P. As actioc sets in the 
 hay begins to char. With the formation of charcoal, oxygen is absorbed and the 
 mass grows still hotter until it reaches a temperature of about 265 deg. IP., when it 
 bursts into flame. 
 
 Prevention 
 
 A very goodiranti-spontaneous combustion remedy is to salt the hay when it is 
 being stored away. 
 
 Ventilation 
 
 The proper construction of a barn should<include the necessary ventilating of 
 the hay mow, at the same time providing that no rain can enter. , 
 
 A simple and yet practical way of ventilating the hay is by means of chifimeys 
 or air-ducts in difEerent parts of the mow. These ventilating shafts can be made 
 by means af empty barrels placed on the floor and drawn up through the hay^s 
 the mow is filled. The gases formed will thus have an opportunity to escape through 
 the ventilator in the roof^. 
 
 Stacks should be built on a foundation of stones or timber so as to raise the 
 hay or straw from the moist ground. Stacks can be ventilated by " chimneys," in 
 the same manner as hay mows, but they must be carried out on the sides of the 
 stack by means of horizontal " A " board chutes under the eaves. Another plan for 
 ventilating is to put a tripod, made of three timbers, (or more) tied together at 
 the tap, in the centre of the stack and then build around and over it.. A current 
 of air can be introduced from the bottom of the stack by means of " A " board- 
 chutes and carried out under the eaves. 
 
 Numerous barn fires caused by spontaneous combustion have been investigated 
 by the Fire Marshal's Department. In some cases hay charred black but did not 
 ignite because favorable conditions were not present, or the farmer, after noticing 
 the heat in the mow, removed the hay before it reached the firing point. 
 
 Concrete Cases 
 
 In one instance where a large quantity of hay was stored in a bam the farmer 
 noticed it heating and got his neighbors to help him fork it out, but before they 
 could remove all the hay it blazed and burnt the premises. 
 
 A farmer in York County had a stack containing about 18 tons of, oat, wheat, 
 and barley straw, with a mixture of wild buckwheat, bluegrass and vetches. 
 
 About seven o'clock one morning the owner noticed steam coming from the top 
 of the stack im two places. He opened up the. stack, and as a result thought all 
 danger had disappeared. 
 
 The following day, about 5.30 p.m., a neighbour who was ploughing in a 
 near-by field noticed smoke about this farmer!s yard and ran over to see-what was 
 the matter. He found the straw stack on fire. The fire from the stack subse- 
 quently communicated to some of the farm buildings, causing a loss' of $5,000.00. 
 
 Another case in the same locality may be cited : A farmer and his son opened 
 up a straw stack that was steaming; the deeper they went, the hotter it got, and 
 they removed all to about eight feet from the ground. The next morning it was 
 still hot and, the farmer's son and a nephew placed two hen eggs in the straw and 
 
29 
 
 in twenty minutes the eggs were cooked. This stack contained barley, wheat and 
 oat straw, and the greatest heat was in the barley straw at the bottom. 
 
 In connection with another fire caused by spontaneous combustion, in the 
 course of the investigation one of the witnesses stated : " We noticed that as we 
 worked at the stack trying to put it out with water that it seemed to have little or 
 no effect, and almost immediately the red hot ilames would come right out from 
 inside the stack. When a forkful of straw would be pulled out, it would suddenly 
 all go off in a puff of fire." 
 
 Build stacks so tliat there will he sufficient pitcli to shed the rain. 
 
 Don't build hay or straw stacks near the farm huildings, so that in case they 
 do catch fire, they will not endanger your other property. 
 
 Danger from Wet Grain / 
 
 Bran, grain and silo material may ignite spontaneously if conditions similar 
 to those already described should exist. Seeds stored in bins or pits and under 
 water give off gases that are dangerous and highly explosi^'e. 
 
 Danger from Manures 
 
 Stall manure should be kept damp on top when piled in quantities and away 
 from all heat-generating substances, such as ashes and sawdust, and from the 
 rays of the sun. Don't make the heap any larger than you can control in case of 
 fire. The best plan is to-put it on the land as soon as possible. 
 
 Artificial, manures, containing potash salts, chloride of potash, magnesia 
 salts and the like are safe and incombustible. 
 
 Phosphate of lime manures are not dangerous except when bagged damp and 
 packed in large heaps. Here the lime slaking hazard enters and one must be careful 
 not to stack damp. 
 
 The nitrates absorb a great deal of moisture and loosen the fibre of the bags 
 so that it is possible for the smallest spark to enter; it might smoulder for a long 
 time, and then suddenly burst into flame. When the bags become saturated with 
 the nitrate they are highly inflammable. 
 
 Lime in slaking generates a heat of 800 deg. F. Keep 
 unslaked lime in a dry place, away from leaks in the shed 
 or wherever stored. 
 
 Be Vigilant 
 
 Eternal vigilance is the price of safety on the farm, 
 and every man and woman should preach and practice that 
 doctrine. To see the fruits of months of toil and the 
 profits of years go up in smoke in a few minutes is a serious 
 matter. The way to prevent it is herein outlined, and it is 
 up to you to carry out the suggestions. They are made 
 for your benefit. 
 
 ■Fires must be put out 
 while they are small. 
 
30 
 
 HUNGER MAPo^ EUROPE 
 
 H Famine Cbnditionff 
 
 Sffi odm^ JiitcSte KbA 
 Serioas food Shortage 
 
 JSatSdaATresetA rood Supply 
 £iA fululie 5a1di& 
 
 JUgUpclawifiod 
 
 SKEMSCR h 191 B 
 
 A NATION'S STRENGTH IS IN ITS FOOD SUPPLY 
 
 This " Hunger Map of Europe/' which appeared in a recent issue of " Fire 
 Protection/' portrays more vividly than wor^s can describe the reason why fire 
 must not be permitted to destroy Canada's food products. In order that the food 
 shortage may be relieved the suffering peoples must get such commodities as they 
 lequire, and these are chiefly products of the Canadian farm. 
 
 Fire prevention measures should be no less stringent and effective in the mills, 
 elevators, warehouses, sugar refineries, canning factories, creameries, cheese fac- 
 . .Tories, stockyards, meat-packing plants, grocery stores, and all other places where 
 food is handled or stored, than on the farm. 
 
 The wail of suffering humanity has not touched the hearts of the people of 
 Canada in vain; and the knowledge that millions of human beings are suffering 
 thiB pangs of hunger should be sufficient reason for us to insist that food be con- 
 served and every possible precaution taken against preventable fires. 
 
INDEX 
 
 Aeroplanes, detect forest fires by %& 
 
 Alarmsj fire 20. C3 
 
 Alfalfa, spontaneous combustion in 27 
 
 Ammoniiun phosphate 13 
 
 Apparatus employed to fight fires ... 9, 12, 
 
 13, 17, 20, 25, C3 
 Approval of electric devices by Hydro .... &2 
 
 Asbestos, protection from stoves 14 
 
 _ Ashes, put in metal can 15 
 
 ~ Attics and cellars, clean 14 
 
 ~ Automatic chemical fire extinguishers.... 11 
 Automobiles, danger of storing in barns ... 9 
 
 B 
 
 Barn, clean up the 7 
 
 Barn fires, losses caused by '. 8 
 
 Bairns, efectric wiring of 21 
 
 Bedroom, fires , . t 15 
 
 Bi-carbonate of soda, a fire killer 8 
 
 Bonfires 14, 24 
 
 Bridging fuses, against the law 22 
 
 Brooders 16 
 
 Buildings, how to prevent fires in 7, 26 
 
 Burned in gasoline explosion 8 
 
 Bumettizing 1 26 
 
 Burning brash 8, 14. 24 
 
 Careless habits 5, 14, 15, 25 
 
 Carelessness and fires 5, 12, 14, 15, 16, 
 
 18, 20, 24, 27 
 
 Carelessness, bonfires _. ' 14, 24 
 
 " cigars and smoking 5, 15 
 
 ' ' candles 14 
 
 ' ' defective insulation 22 
 
 ' * hot ashes 15 
 
 > ' ' matches 5, 15 
 
 * * stoves overheated 15 
 
 Candles, fires from 14 
 
 Causes of fires 5, 7, 10, 12, 13, 16, 18, 
 
 21, 24. 27 
 Cellars, attics and back yards, dangerous 
 
 condition of . . • 14 
 
 Charred hay 28 
 
 ChenSical fire extinguishers 8, 9, 11, 17, C3 
 
 Chimney fires 14, 17 
 
 Children playing with matches ^15 
 
 Children, education of, in prevention of 
 
 Area 5, 6, 17, 18 
 
 Circnit, - against the laV to overload eleotric 23 
 
 Cigar and cigarette fires 5, IS 
 
 Glean-up campaign 18 
 
 Cleanliness as a fire preventative 5, 7 
 
 Clothing, non-inflammable 13 
 
 Clover, spontaneous combustion in 27 
 
 Coal 15 
 
 Coal oil, danger from 14, 15, 16 
 
 Coal oil lamps 16 
 
 Coal oil stoves 16 
 
 Collar for stove pipes 14 
 
 Combustibles 8, 11, 15, 16, 27 
 
 Community protection C3 
 
 Conflbagration ■ ■ C4 
 
 Co-operation 4, 6, C3 
 
 Conduit, electrical installation 20 
 
 Contractors, properly qualified electrical. . . 23 
 
 Cotton, spontaneous combustion in oily ... 27 
 
 Danger from gas 15 
 
 * ' ' * gasoline • 8-10 
 
 " lightning 18, 20 
 
 " " lima 29 
 
 " " manures 29 
 
 " " open electric switches 21 
 
 " " oily waste 9 
 
 " " oily sawdust 
 
 " " slash and undergrowth 25 
 
 " " sparks 8, 11 
 
 " " spontaneous combustion. .. .20, 27 
 
 " " wet grain 29 
 
 " " wet hay and straw 27, 29 
 
 Danger signs 10 
 
 Deauis caased by_ nre ^ 5 
 
 Decorations, noD-lnflammable 13 
 
 DeBtraGtion of our forests 24 
 
 Donts and warning on fire prevention 13 
 
 Dry powder fire extinguishers, uselessness 
 
 of ,. 17 
 
 Dust explosions in threshing machines.... 10 
 
 Dust dangers . , 10 
 
 Dust explosions in mills 11 
 
 Dust explosions, prevention of 11 - 
 
 Dwellings, fires in 4, 14, 17, 20 
 
 Dynamite 10 
 
 Educational campaign to prevent fires ... 5, 6, 24 
 
 Effect of the war 3 
 
 Electric flashlight 15 
 
 Electric irons 15, 23 
 
 Electric devices, approval of, by Hydro .... 22 
 
 Electric wiring, permit for 23 
 
 Electrician, employ a qualified 23 
 
 Electrical inspection 21 
 
 Electricity on the farm 21 
 
 Elbows on stove pipes 14 
 
 Escape from fire 17 
 
 Evidence regarding spontaneous combus- 
 tion ' 28, 29 
 
 Explosions from dust .^ ' 11 
 
 Explosions from gasoline ^. 10 
 
 Explosives 8, 11, 16, 16, 27 
 
 F 
 
 Pan, suction 11 
 
 Farm fire brigade C3 
 
 Fight fires, how to _. 17, C3 
 
 Fire alarms, sending in C3 
 
 Fire appliances 9, 11, 17, 25, C3 
 
 Fire extinguishment 9, 11, 17, 20, 25, C3 
 
 Fire hazard in the barn and other build- 
 ings 7, 8 
 
 Fire hazard in the dwelling 13, 20 
 
 Fire hazard to stocks 12 
 
 Films, moving picture 25 
 
 Fire kills and destroys 4,, 5 
 
 Fire loss in barns 8 
 
 " " in dwellings 4, 14, 20 
 
 ** ** from lightning 18 
 
 * * * ' from threshers 12 
 
 " ' * per capita 7 
 
 Fire pails 8, 17 
 
 Fire -prevention, construction and design ... 7 
 
 Fire Prevention Day 18 
 
 Fire prevention suggestions , 13, 17, 26 
 
 Fire pots 14 
 
 Fire statistics 4, 7, 14 
 
 Fire tax 6 
 
 Fire waste 7 
 
 Fireprooflng solution 13, 26 
 
 Fires, bedroom 15 
 
 ' ' in dwellings 4, 17, 20 
 
 ' ' in bams 7, 19, 27 
 
 " in hay and straw stacks 27, 28 
 
 ' * bonfires and brush 24, 25 
 
 ' * in straw stacks 28 
 
 ' ' lightning 18 
 
 ' ' foresf -. 24 
 
 " spontaneous combustion 28 
 
 ' ' principal causes of 14 
 
 " caused by locomotives 25 
 
 Flue holes VT 14 
 
 Forest fires 24- 
 
 Forest patrol 25 
 
 Foundation for hay and straw stacks 28 
 
 Fuel, care in use of 14 
 
 Fusing of cut outs 22 
 
 G 
 
 Garage, don't use bam as a 10 
 
 Gas, danger from 15, 28 
 
 'Gasoline 8, 15 
 
 ' ' dangers from 9, 10, 17 
 
 • * explosive power of vaporized 10 
 
 " post danger signs, where stored... 10 
 
 " store underground lo 
 
 ' ' can, paint red ......; 17 
 
 Good intentions 04 
 
 Civain, danger from wet 29 
 
 foates, danger from 14, 15 
 
 Ground, electric wiring 22 
 
 Oround shade trees 20 
 
 Ground shafting ' iq 
 
 Ground threshing machines n 
 
 Ground wire fences 2S 
 
 31 
 
33 
 
 Habits, change careless 5, 14, 15, 17 
 
 Hay, curing of 27 
 
 Ha^ salting 28 
 
 Hay, spontaneous combustiou in 27, 28 
 
 Hay, why, heats 27 
 
 Heated or ^mildewed hay 27 
 
 Homes, lires in 4, 14, 17 
 
 Housewife, how the, may prevent fires . . . 13, 17 
 
 How to instal lightning rods 20 
 
 Horses, stepping on matches 7 
 
 Horses, motor vs ^. ■ C2 
 
 Hydro-Electric Power Commission regula- 
 tions 21 
 
 Importance of properly placing electric 
 
 switches 21 
 
 In case of fire 17 
 
 Incubators 1° 
 
 Indirect tax, flre_ waste an 6 
 
 Inspection, electrical 21 
 
 Installation of lightning rods ^t' 
 
 Insurance, premiums 6, 8, 18 
 
 Insured and uninsured losses 8, 18 
 
 Investigations regarding fires 10, 19, 28 
 
 K 
 Knife switches, danger from use of 21 
 
 Lamps, dangers from 15, 16 
 
 Lamps, fill in daylight 15, 16 
 
 Lamps and stoves, keep clean 16 
 
 Lanterns 18 
 
 Law prohibits bridging electric fuses 22 
 
 Law prohibits overloading electric circuit. 23 
 Law regarding setting out of slash fires., . 25 
 Law regarding spark arresters on steam 
 
 ^ - . threshers ' • ■ • 12 
 
 Lightning, fires caused by '^®' ^n 
 
 Lightning rods, efSciency of ^ ^^' ■'n 
 
 ' Lightning rods, installation of .... r 19 
 
 > Lime, danger from 29 
 
 Locomotives, sparks from ^' ^S 
 
 Loose matches, danger of carrying 7 
 
 Loss from fires 4, 7, 11, 12, 14, 15, 18 
 
 Loss per capita ; "^ 
 
 M 
 
 Manures, danger from 
 
 Hatches, caution children against playing 
 
 with ■ • ■ . 
 
 Matches, careless use of 
 
 Matches, spontaneous combustion from .... 
 
 Matches, use safety , 
 
 Matches, loose 
 
 Metal cans for ashes , 
 
 Metal protection around stoves 
 
 Metal roofed buildings ; . 7, 
 
 Mica, replace broken .'. 
 
 Mice and rats, dangers from 
 
 Mops, oily -^ 
 
 Mosaic law, personal liability for fires .... 
 
 Motion pictures 
 
 Motor apparatus 20, 
 
 Motor vs. horses J . . .- 
 
 Mutual Fire Insurance Co's 
 
 15 
 15- 
 15 
 IS 
 
 7 
 15 
 14 
 20 
 14 
 15 
 15 
 
 -7 
 25 
 C3 
 C2 
 19 
 
 \ 
 
 Plugs, electric 23 
 
 Prevent firis, how to 5, 7, 11, 12, 18, 
 
 19, 20, 26, 28, 29 
 
 Prevent hay heating 27 
 
 Preventable fires 4 
 
 Precaution to be taken by settlers 26 
 
 Prevention of dust explosions in threshers. 11 
 
 Prevention of fires from steam threshers . . 12 
 
 Prevention of lightning fires 18, 19 
 
 Prevention of forest fires 24 
 
 Produce more foodstuffs 4 
 
 Profits destroyed by fii'e C3 
 
 Protect products from fire 4, C3 
 
 Protection from stoves i 14 
 
 Protection of life from fire. . . .5^, 8, 10, 
 
 - 13, 17, 26, C3 
 Protection of horses and cattle from light- 
 
 . ning 20 
 
 Public festivities, safety at 13 
 
 Public schools, teaching of fire preventio'n 
 
 in ■ 6 
 
 B 
 
 Rags, spontaneous combustion in oily. .. .15, 27 
 
 Eats and mice, dangers from r 15 
 
 Regulations, Hydro-Electric Power Com- 
 mission 21 
 
 Rods, 'lightning 19 
 
 Rubbish, removal of 5, 14 
 
 Safety ijiatches 15 
 
 Safety in the use of electric light 21 
 
 Sand, to quench fire 9, 17 
 
 Savings, destruction of, by fire 6, C3 
 
 Sawdust, dangers from < 9 
 
 Salting hay 27 
 
 Settlers should take precautions from forest 
 
 fireS _ 26 
 
 Shafting should be grounded 10 
 
 Silicate of soda 26 
 
 Silos, protection of, from lightning 20 
 
 Slash and undergrowth, danger from ..... 25 
 
 Smoke, investigate . '. 15 
 
 Smoking in barn, danger of 7 
 
 Smoking in bed, invites disaster 15 
 
 Sparks from chimneys . . . .■ 14 
 
 Sparks from threshers 12 
 
 Sparks from stones and metal, danger of. . 11 
 
 Sparks from locomotives 8 
 
 Spontaneous combustion r 27 
 
 Stacks, spontaneous combustion in 28 
 
 Stove pipes i .... 14, 15 
 
 Stoves, coal oil 16 
 
 Stoves, coal, overheated 14 
 
 Stoves, coal, protection of 14 
 
 Statistics regarding fires. .'. . .4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 19 
 
 Straw, spontaneous combustion in 28 
 
 Suction fan to "prevent dust explosions.... 11 
 
 Suffocation from forest fires 26 
 
 Sweating hay 27 
 
 Switches, electric, regulations 21 
 
 T 
 
 Tax, fire 
 
 Tax, reduction of, from fire waste . . . . . 
 
 Teaching fire prevention 
 
 Thimble for stove pipes 
 
 Threshing machines should be grounded. 
 
 6 
 
 S 
 
 5 
 
 14 
 
 11 
 
 N 
 
 No smoking in barn 
 
 Undergrowth and slash, danger from . . , . , 2S 
 
 Objects of Ontario Fire Prevention League. 1 
 
 Oflicers of Ontario Fire Prevention League. 3 
 
 Oily waste, dangers from 9, Ij, 27 
 
 Open fires, screen . . . . ; 1* 
 
 Open lights, danger from » 
 
 Overheated stoves '■* 
 
 P 
 
 Paper shades • ' : V nH 
 
 Patriotic duty to prevent fires a, ' 
 
 Per capita fire loss ;■•••; i' 1 
 
 Penalties for infraction of law to prevent 
 
 fll^BS ..■•>••■•» 
 
 Penalties for infraction of law to prevent 
 
 accidents from steam threshers . . l^ 
 
 Permits for electric wiring ^^ 
 
 Permits for setting out fires ^o 
 
 Personal liability for fires ^-^^ 
 
 Ventilation of barn . . .7 7, 28 
 
 Ventilation of hay mow 27 
 
 Ventilation of hay or straw stack 27 
 
 W 
 
 War against fire 4 
 
 War, responsibilities as result of the 8 
 
 Water to quench fire 8, 17, 20, CS 
 
 What a motor pump can do in the country. 20 
 
 Wire fences, as lightning conductors ^ 20 
 
 Why hay heats 27 
 
 Women's activities in fire prevention work. 
 
 C2, 5, 13, 17 
 
 Wood, to make, fire retardent 26 
 
 Wool, spontaneous combustion in oily. ... 27 
 
 Z 
 
 Zinc chloride 26 
 
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