IN CASE OF FIRE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 26 November 1927, Page 14

IN CASE OF FIRE.

SOME USEFUL ADVICE. Serious accidents are often due to tlie careless handling of motor spirit, probably the most highly inflammable spirit known. Yet wiio lias not seen novices filling the tank with lighted cigarette between the lips? Smoking in the vicinity of petroi is on a par with the young tenderfoot who longed to play skittles with dynamite. it’s quite a common occurence, too, to see a rear tank being filled with tlie spirit slopping over the ground while the engine is running. A back-fire and the spirit would probably catch alight. A very important accessory is a fire extinguisher. Even if you never have to use it, the knowledge that it is at hand gives you a sense of security. Fire inside a car is fraught with terrible danger, as it is liable to occur with alarming suddenness. In the event of a fire, as in all other motoring eventualities, remember the golden rule which lias been the means of saving many motor fatalities : Keep your head. Uring the car to a standstill and turn off tne petrol. This is the great factor. If you have passengers it is to be hoped your doois aie easy' of manipulation and kept well oiled. There is very little woodwork about the modern car, and if none of this catches, you may save the situation; but unfortunately, many drivers, and especially women drivers, at the sight of a flame have been known to jump off a car and abandon a muchloved possession to its fate —all for the want of keeping one’s nervous system under control. A great help in this connection is to visualise danger, and therefore be ready to meet it when it comevs.