B.C. LUMBER WORKER Be 2nd Issue, September = + et “Don’t Give Fire .. .| Union Supports Prevention Week Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 7-138, was given the whole- hearted support of the IWA when the Safety Director John T. Atkinson presented as his guest on the Green Gold radio program recently the Provincial Fire Marshall, Basil Nixon. Fire prevention was then shown to be an essential part of the industry’s safety program. Among the facts referred to by the Fire Marshall were the following disclosures regarding the ravages of fire in Canada and the United States, Many sugges- tions were made indicating how fire hazards might be eliminated. As stated by him, Governor- General Vincent Massey, by proc- lamation, has designated October 7-13 as Fire Prevention Week. It is, as His Excellency points out, an imperative reminder of the in- There is a saying common among firemen that the only fireproof house is under the sea. creasing need for the control of fire and its hazards. In the last ten years, the proc- lamation states, fires in Canada have taken a toll of 4,856 lives and have seriously injured 16,000 persons. The financial loss of 623,223 fires in the decade has been $80,000,000. Shocking Record No less shocking is the picture of Canada’s fire loss position in relation to other civilized nations. The latest available comparative international record of per capita fire losses, according to the office of the Dominion Fire Commis- sioner: 1. Canada 2, U.S.A, 3. Norway: 4, Denmark 5, Switzerland 6. U.K. 7. France 8. West Germany 9. Ireland 83 10. Austria -70 11. Netherlan 69 12, Puerto Rico 48 13. Italy .... 32 This was the unenviable record published in 1952 by a UN com- mittee. Unfortunately, as the Joint Fire Prevention Committee of the Association of Canadian Fire Marshals and the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs points out, Canada’s record is worsening. Figures for 1954 show our per capita loss to be $6.01. Joint Committee Formed Alarmed by the situation, the two great associations of the na- tion’s firefighters (representing the provincial and municipal fire services) last year joined hands to establish the joint committee. Its members serve voluntarily and its simple purpose is to ren- der public service by assisting in bringing to the attention of citi- zens the story of fire prevention and control, particularly during Fire Prevention Week. Because most fires—and most deaths—are the result of human carelessness, public education is deemed the most effective way of combatting the menace, especially in the home, where most deaths tragically involve women ‘and children — lives that might have been spared had the simplest rules of safety been followed. Bringing the story. directly to the public is the great army of Canada’s 25,000 firefighters — professional and volunteer — the men who, night and day, must stand ready to face the tragedy of fire. WHAT MAKES A FIRE IN THE Fires require fuel, air and heat to burn. If any one of these requirements is removed the fire will go out. FUEL Cy, pa GS In the main, the hazards are carelessness and thoughtlessness. Who, for instance, striking a match, stops to think that it may destroy a whole community? Or who, inserting a 30-ampere ‘fuse into an over-worked electrical circuit, considers that a famly may be wiped out? ... Of such can be the terrible price of some- body’s carelessness. Public. Education That the battle of public edu- cation can, surely if slowly, pre- vail is the belief of the firefight- +P ers and the many’ organizations OTTO KWOWE: The banner they bear reads: DON’T GIVE FIRE A PLACE TO START. And, giving utterance to the helpless children and women, and all who innocently suffer: DON’T LEAVE US ALONE |. WITH THE HAZARDS OF FIRE. HOME HEAT FIRE = jh and services which contribute un- | | stintingly to the cause — this newspaper among them, Fire Prevention Stamp Traditionally, Fire Prevention Week is the full calendar week including October 9, anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. It is observed at the same time in Canada and the United States. This year, further in commemoration of its observance, the Canadian Post Office Depart- ment will, during the week (Octo- ber 9), issue its first special Fire Prevention Stamp. = BU Most Fires can be FIRST THRE! Know... * Where Fire Fig learn... *.: How to Use It . Maintain. .: It in good Wor! Obey... « No Smoking R Dont... .; Tamper with a Keep. Gasoline in % Practice... | Good Housekee TOMORROW MA British-< Workmen's Com, ETTER oe: