SCHOOLS AND FIRES.

Waipa Post, Volume XIX, Issue 1104, 11 June 1921, Page 5

SCHOOLS AND FIRES.

A IWRKING DANGER. CAUSES AND SAFEGUARDS. < ' As the Te Awamutu Schools are wooden and old-fashioned "the cap fits them" when Chief Fire Inspector Hugo talks of fire dangers. One will read little bits from his recent report on the subject with a fervent hope that all is well for a quick exit if a fire (Occurs at a. Te Awamutu school. The inspector has listed 53 schools of New Zealand-which lend themselves to fire outbreaks as proved by:—Gas- | rings, causing charring of the wails near which they are placed; gas rings, causing the charring of cupboards or mantelpieces; hot embers from fireplaces, causing charring of the floor boards; gas rings, causing charring of the table, stool or floor boards on which they are accustomed to startd. In one case, it is noted

that the heat, from a gas ring has , caused the lining boards to char badly through the iron insulation; and in another case a gas ring has caused a shelf to char practically through. He advises that-the various boards should take steps to remove the causes, and he is suppoited by the United Fire Brigade Association, which has asked that scholars should be instructed in fire- prevention. Inspector Hugo states that 90 per cent, of fires »which occur are easi'y preventible, being,due to carelessness. In America, a number of States have made it compulsory to have one hour in the month set apart in the schools', for .instruction in fire-fighting, and ■■■'-'■ lectures are given by fire brigade officers. Some of the things which he thinks might be impressed upon the children are: Not to play with fire; always to turn off the gas when it is v not in use; v never to use a light when " seeking for a leak in a gas pipe; to use only safety matches; and never ' to carry matches which will strike on any rough surface. <* Commenting on this the Education Mr C. J. Parr, said :) "I think that a talk for even half a n hour once a, month to the children, driving home the results of carelessness, would be useful. Indeed, from the inspector's * report, a lecture to some of our teachers' seems to be very * necessary."