The Dickenson County Herald

ENORMOUS FIRE LOSSES PREVENTABLE

Fire losses that are classed as "strictly preventable" show an amazing figure every year. The National Board of Fire Underwriters gives the total of all losses for the year 1925 (in round figures) as $530,000,000. But of this amount the Board classes losses of $242,000,000 as "strictly preventable," while the remaining losses, amounting to $317,000,000 are placed under the head of "partly preventable." Evidently the underwriters take the view that no fire is strictly unpreventable.

But now we come to the interesting part. Under the "strictly preventable" heading we find that the largest losses, more than 30 millions in value, are attributed to matches and smoking. The next largest comes from defective chimneys and flues which run up a total of more than twenty-one million. Following in order of seriousness are stoves and furnaces, sparks on roofs, petroleum and its products, hot ashes open fires, gas, open lights, hot grease and tar, rubbish and litter, fireworks and steam and hot water pipes.

Fire, uncontrolled, it becomes a menace to life and property. In all seasons great care should be taken to prevent devastating fires. But forests and growing crops need the careful consideration of motorists, campers and general vacationists during the summer months. Fire is one of the most pitiless and destructive elements known. A bullet hits and stops: water flows over and recedes: the passions of human breasts will subside; but fire once started multiplies in ever growing intensity so long as combustible material lies in its path. None can be too careful in its use.