Show HOW IS YOUR CHIMNEY how Is ia your chimney to la a well timed question to put to ourselves following a report recently made public by the national board ot at fire underwriters which shows that one of the principal causes of fire in most localities Is defective flues and chimneys original poor construction of chimneys and hazardous conditions develon lne later are the buu underlying causes huou buu huou developing laica in connection with its report the board recommends that chimneys be solidly built from the ground up they should not rest upon a platform of any kind in the house or outside as this will settle possibly developing cracks in the chimney permitting sparks to escape into the walls most alost urgent of all floor beams should bo be carried 4 around the chimney so that they cannot touch it if these v timber sare supported by the chimney the ends will exert tremendous leverage when the building settles cracks bract will become becomes larger each year until heat and sparks can pass pas sInto into the concealed space between ceilings ana acx floors all should be equipped with an improved flue lining to it is equally Important t that chimneys be kept in condl condi they should be inspected and cleaned thoroughly if soft coal or oil burning equipment Is used IL haz layer of soot usually forms forma on flue walls A even evelt when hard bard coal Is IB used soot should be cleaned fr from om and aad the bottom of the chimney at least once jl ft year r f in the entire united states the total loss due to chim all bink 1931 amounted to safer chim I 1 should have a place among the national slogans i fr |