Show A Feature Story Spring Clean-up and Fire Safety Clean-Up time has rolled around and shortly householders across the nation will be sprucing up their Some folks will be doing a painting the house on the outside or and checking eaves and rain spouts for damage caused by last winter's Others will limit the job to cleaning up the inside of the house with dust mop and vacuum Make Home Fire Safe But both big and little Spring Clean-Up jobs can be given a double meaning making a home fire-safe is in mind while the work is Every two fire strikes somewhere in the United States the National Board of Fire Underwriters many of the Board says are fed by accumulations of old broken furniture and other trash which has been allowed to gather in the attic or You can eliminate fire hazards in your home by following this check list during your Sprin Clean The Attic Most people find the attic is the most logical place to start Spring Go upstairs with the idea of throwing out any accumulations and combustibles you may have stored You may have old magazines you no longer The same holds true for any discarded old broken furniture or other combustible trash you may have placed The Upstairs Bedrooms When you houseclean the upstairs bedrooms check the cords on lights and bedside If they are frayed or worn have them Make sure that the extensions on lamp cords do not run under over or through parti and If you must smoke in the see that there are plenty of Be sure matches are out of reach of And never smoke in Check the latch on the bedroom door to be sure it is If fire breaks out a closed bedroom door will keep heat and suffocating gases out- side for the important minutes frequently needed for escape or The Kitchen As part of your Spring Clean-Up give the range a thorough Remove grease from the oven and burners if it has collected And make a note on your kitchen memo calendar to clean the range If you have curtains at the kitchen and the are near the make sure that the curtains are fastened so they will not blow over the The same holds true for The wall towel rack should be In a place where there is no chance of the towels blowing over the In the also check the cords on electrical such as the waffle coffee electric grille or Avoid use of multiple attachment And see that there are plenty of outlets so that you do not Sec page 8 Clean-up from page overload the Always use fuses on household lighting If a fuse on an electrical circuit continues to something is wrong with either the appliance or the and a careful check should be made of the appliance and A closed metal is best for the kitchen because it will not The Living Room Check the position fo your television It should be in a place where there is enough space for ventilation around If you have a wood burning you should not start fires in it unless it Is protected by a metal Check this as the others to be sure there arc plenty of ashtrays if you have smokers in your And remember that if you do riot ashtrays should be kept around if you have guests who Basement and Garage If old newspapers have collected during the spring is the time to get rid of They are a fire- hazard in the but they represent welcome dollars to the charitable or civic organization in your community that makes paper Make a check and if there is such an organization in your community ask it to pick them up the next time its old paper truck comes Old have iv cash value to the good-will organizations which collect Have them picked up along with the You will thus do a good and rid your home of a potential fire For it Is upon old papers and trash that many fires If you have been doing a painting and have paint and paint brushes in the the paint be kept in tightly closed metal Turpentine should be kept in a tightly closed rather than in a bottle which might Make sure that nothing flammable is stored near the Safety tips for the basement also apply to the Keep it clear of and if you store paint in the here again make sure that is Is in tightly closed metal As part of your Spring Cleanup clean up any oil drippings which may have accumulated on the garage floor during the If your garage is attached to the the door between should always be kept tightly The Yard When you spruce up your all branches and other debris should be piled near the curb for collection if your community has a collection If you decide to burn check with your local fire department to determine whether j burning of leaves is or whether a permit must be obtained if you start such a Leaves should always bo burned in a mesh basket or a metal container approved by the local firo and the container should be set well away from dry grass or other Never light an outdoor fire on a windy never leave it unattended and keep children Before burning the attach your garden hose to a nearby and keep it handy until the fire is Never leave the fire until the ashes are cool enough to TO SMOKERS While giving your house a Spring Clean-Up it's a good plan to check your ashtrays there are smokers in the Make surd you have plenty of large ashtrays in every room where occupants or guests the National Board of Fire Underwriters Empty ashtrays and keep matches in safe containers and out of reach of under any smoke in |