Keep all doors and windows of the structure closed until the firemen come; put a wet cloth over the mouth and get down on all fours in a smoky room; open the upper part of the window to get the smoke out. If in a theatre, keep cool. Descend ladders with a regular step, to prevent vibration. If kerosene just purchased can be made to burn in a saucer by igniting with a match, throw it away. Put wirework over gaslights in show-windows; sprinkle sand instead of sawdust on floors of oil stores; keep shavings and kindling-wood away from steam-boilers, and greasy rags from lofts, cupboards, boxes, etc.; see that all stove-pipes enter well in the chimney, and that all lights and fires are out before retiring or leaving place of business; keep matches in metal or earthen vessels, and out of the reach of children; and provide a piece of stout rope, long enough to reach the ground, in every chamber. Neither admit any one, if the house be on fire, except police, firemen, or known neighbors; nor swing lighted gas-brackets against the wall; nor leave small children in a room where there are matches or an open fire; nor deposit ashes in a wooden box or on the floor; nor use a light in examining the gas-meter. Never leave clothes near the fire place to dry; nor smoke or read in bed by candle or lamp light; nor put kindling-wood to dry on top of the stove; nor take a light into a closet; nor pour out liquor near an open light; nor keep burning or other inflammable fluids in a room where there is a fire; nor allow smoking about barns or warehouses.

Usual Causes Of Fires. Churches And Lecture-Rooms Of All Descriptions

Hot air, hot water and steam pipes, and furnaces and stoves. Sticking candles against coffins in vaults. Christmas and other decorations around or too near gas-fit tings, fires, or lights. Sparks falling upon birds' nests in spires and belfries.

Home-Made Fire Proof Safe

The best is a hole in the ground well lined with brick and cement.

A Simple And Good Fire-Alarm

An old gun loaded with a heavy charge of powder, and hung near the rafters in a barn, or in any dangerous locality about the house, makes an excellent fire-alarm. The explosion is caused by the heat.

Extinguishing Fire

A solution of pearlash in water, thrown upon a fire, extinguishes it instantly; the proportion is 4 ozs., dissolved in hot water, and then poured into a bucket of common water.

Kerosene Fires

Never try to extinguish a kerosene fire with water. Smother the flames with blankets or rugs.