Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 August 1887 — How to Manage a Fire. [ARTICLE]

How to Manage a Fire.

Fire requires air; therefore, on its appearance every effort should be made to exclude air; shut all doors and windows. By this means fire may be confined to a sir.gle room for ,a sufficient period to enable all the inmates to be aroused and eecaoe; but if the doors and windows are thrown open, the fanning of the wind and the draught will instantly cause the flames to increase with great rapidity. It must never be forgotten that the" most precious moments are at the commencement of a fire, and not a single second o|time •should be lost in tackling it. In a room a tablet loth can be so used as to smother a large sheet of flame, and a cushion may serve to beat it out; a coat or anything similar may be used with an equally successful result. The great point is presence of mind, calmness in danger, action guided by reason and thought. In all large houses buckets of water should he. placed on every landing, a little salt being put into the water. Always endeavor to attack the bed of a fire; if you cannot extinguish a fire, shut the window, and be sure to shut ibe door when making good your retreat. A wet silk handkerchief tied over the eyes and nose will make breathing possible in the midst of much smoke, and a blanket wetted and wrapped round the body will enable a person to pass through a sheet of flame in comparative safety. Should a lady’s dress catch fire,.let the wearer at once lie down; rolling may extinguish the fire, but if not, anything, "wboTeu preferred, wrapped tightly round will effect thedeaired purpose.