December 5, 1960

News from White River Twp VFD

       Our department had one fire run the past week.  It was in the Bo-Mar addition.  Damage was $250 to Owen Prensel residence.  This fire was started by having no protection around a bare light bulb hanging close to the water pump to keep it from freezing.

Protection by Planning

         More than eight of every ten lives taken by home fires each year could be saved if people planned ahead for fire emergencies.  Pre-planning is essential to protect your family, for fire spreads so rapidly there is no time to figure out what to do.  Make sure that everyone, including the children, know exactly what to do.  Then hold home fire drills regularly so the family reaction to a fire situation is almost automatic.

Here are pointers to help you plan:

1. Carefully figure out at least two routes to the outside from every room in the house, especially bedrooms; allow for blocking of stairways or halls by fire.
2. Particularly for nighttime fires remember that closed bedroom doors will hold back flame and smoke, allow extra time for escape.
3. For upper floor escape, use any available porch and garage roofs, ladders, or trees as ways down to safety.  Be sure exit windows work easily and especially that they are low and large enough to get through.
4. Pick an outside assembly point where the family will meet, and be sure everyone understands the rule “Once Out – Stay Out.”  Plan for fire department notification, as quickly as the house is clear of people.  A hundred houses are not worth one life.
    
    

Your fire departments phone number in White River township is TU-1-3600.  (Reprinted with permission from the Daily Journal)
 
    

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