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Show WHEN THE MAGIC WIRE GOES "HAYWIRE" You have read, about the magic of Aladdin's lamp, but what can measure up to the "magic wire" of today and the invisible energy that pulses over it, bringing light, heat or power at the snap of a switch? This modern miracle, however, requires careful care-ful handling. When it is misused, the magic wire sometimes goes "haywire" and when it does, fires may be started or bodilv harm done. Electricity is safe the safest source of energy yet discovered. discover-ed. Hut like other valuable agencies it is subject to misuse. The national board of fire underwriters reports fire losses amounting to almost $15,000,000 during 1932 because of misuse of electricity. electri-city. A few simple precautions will safeguard the use of electrical energy. The very first is the purchase of standard electrical equipment, appliances and wire. When you buy electrical equipment, equip-ment, you can be sure that it meets safety requirements if it boars the label of underwriters' laboratories. The next precaution is to have all wiring done by licensed electricians, elec-tricians, and in accordance with the national electric code. Less than four per cent of electrical fires occur in buildings where standard equipment has been installed in this manner. Carelessness in neglecting to disconnect appliances after use has caused numerous fires. Even automatic shut-off s occasionally occasion-ally fail to work. Overheating and. fire can result from either cause. Always remember that the fuse is the safety valve of the circuit. If there is an overload which might develop heat and fire, the correct-size fuse will bum out long before the danger point is reached. Don't tamper with fuses, don't put pennies or nails back of them that is just as bad as tying down the safety valve of a stem boiler1! Instead, ask an electrician what is causing caus-ing the fuse to burn out. Although most wiring is safe, there is danger of getting an electrical shock unless certain precautions are taken. Electrical cords or devices should not be within reach of metal objects that are grounded, such as water or gas piping, steam radiators, or hot air registers. Lamps made of metal should be kept away from grounded objects. Do not place electrical appliances on gas or coal stove when connected to the circuit. Do not allow any appliance, ap-pliance, switch or heater to be within reach of the bathtub. It is simply the part of wisdom to take whatever precautions precau-tions are required to assure the safest employment of man's great servant, electricity. |