London to Launch Annual Fire Prevention Campaign

Citizens Are Urged To Co-operate in Making Week of Great Benefit to the Community

London will launch its annual fire prevention campaign next week. Fire Chief Aitken calls upon every householder and property owner to assist in making the effort effective. The aim of the campaign is to reduce fire losses and promote public safety by eliminating fire hazards throughout the city.

Citizens are reminded that cleanliness and proper maintenance of property are among the most important safeguards against fire. Rubbish accumulations, unsafe heating methods, careless smoking, and faulty wiring are identified as major causes of preventable fires.

FIRE PREVENTION WEEK

October 8 to 13

CENTRAL FIRE HALL, London, October 6th, 1923
Citizens and Property Owners, London, Canada.

Dear Sir or Madam —
In publicly reminding you of Fire Prevention, I wish to congratulate the citizens generally on the cleanliness of property in this city. Few cities get the co-operation and help that London does to maintain a clean city and prevent fires.

A few moments time in removing rubbish often prevents a destructive fire, with possible loss of life or cause of unemployment.

As your Fire Chief I suggest for careful thought the following ideas to prevent fires and educate our coming citizens.

Yours to prevent fires,
JOHN AITKEN, Chief, London Fire Dept.

Recommendations:

1. All dwellings and their surroundings be carefully inspected by their occupants and all conditions likely to cause or promote the spread of fires removed.

2. All public buildings, stores, warehouses and factories be inspected and cleaned of rubbish in order to reduce fire hazards and maintain health and safety.

3. All hotels, theatres, asylums, hospitals and other institutional buildings be inspected and provision made for all changes necessary to protect the occupants from danger in the event of fire.

4. Fire drills be held for the children in all schools, for the inmates of all institutions and for the employees in all large stores and factories, in order that a greater degree of safety may be insured.

5. Special instruction on fire prevention be given by teachers and municipal officials in the schools, and appropriate literature be available for distribution to pupils.

6. Boy Scout leaders give instructions to troops under their control so the best means of co-operating with municipal fire departments in fire prevention and extinguishment be promoted.

7. Operators of lumber camps, settlers, campers, hunters and others who from time to time enter our national parks and forest areas acquaint themselves with all laws, regulations and precautionary rules devised and established for the safeguarding of the woods against fire.

Think Fire Before It Happens

• Don’t allow children to play with matches

• Don’t leave everything to the fire department

• Don’t throw away lighted matches or cigarette ends

• Don’t use gasoline or benzine for cleaning

• Don’t place ashes in wooden boxes

• Keep rubbish removed

• Store oily rags safely

• Don’t overload electric circuits

• Keep exits clear

Read and Heed – Fire Safety Rules

• Keep rubbish in a conspicuous place

• Avoid storing gasoline in dwellings

• Be careful with stoves and heaters

• Maintain electric wiring

• Use fire-resistant construction where possible

• Keep fire escapes clear

• Know how to call the Fire Department