FIRE

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FIRE PREVENTION Week is scheduled in October to coincide with the
anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire. Fire Prevention Week
throughout North America is being observed from Oct. 7 to 13 in 1990,
and Tuesday, Oct. 9 is the anniversary date.

The Great Chicago Fire actually started on Oct. 8, 187] and burned
for three days. The story of the fire says that the O’Learys of Chicago
were having a party with friends. They ran out of milk they needed for
a Tom and Jerry — a popular drink of that time.

Mrs. O'Leary's cow was called upon fer another milking. The cow
strongly objected, having already been milked that day, She kicked over
a lantern, starting one of history’s worse fires.

The fire travelled 44 miles through Chicago's south side. [t stapped
there only because it had run to the edge of Lake Michigan and had
nothing els. to burn.

The Great Chicago Fire claimed more than 500 tives, left: more than
160,000 homeless, destroyed 17.450 buildings and caused property losses
of more than $200 million. Chicago needed 2,000 special police, six
companies of militia and four companies of rezular armed forces per-
sonnel to control the city and to restore order after the fire wats evtine
guished,

Sunday, Octover 7, 1990 - North Shore News - 25

Most people think of their homes as being safe. But each year nearly5,000
people become victims of home fires - fires which could have been prevented.
This and every year take some time to check your hame’s safety...
* Do you have working smoke detectors?
* Have you developed ana practiced a home escape plan?
© De you watch smokers closely and wet down smoking materials
before discarding them?
© Is your heating equipment working properly?
© Do you keep matches and lighters up high and away where children
can't get them?
* Are you staying in the kitchen when you're cooking?
By taking simple steps including those shown above you may be saving your
life and the lives of others. If you're not,make your place firesafe!