Until we find some better device for producing fire, matches will continue to be used in immense numbers, and they will always be a source of danger in the hands of careless people, and even careful people may be imperiled by the actions of careless people about them. There are no safety-rules more important than those applying to the use of matches, and habits of carefulness should be formed by every person. Some one has said:
Matches do not think with their heads. When you use them, your head has to do all the thinking. Do the thinking! Put them out!
Safety Rules for Buying Matches
1. Purchase by brand, and always avoid brands which break, lose their heads, or glow after being blown out.
2. Look for the label of the Underwriters' Laboratories.
3. Give the preference to strike-on-the-box, or safety matches, but, in case of buying the strike-anywhere match, get one that has a protected tip.
Safety Rules for Using Matches
1. Keep them in covered boxes or dishes, away from the heat of stoves and stovepipes and out of the reach of rats and mice.
2. Strike matches away from you. If you are striking on a box, first close the box. Strike downward on the box.
—National Board of Fire Underwriters.
Questions
1. Make three more rules for using matches.
2. What is the meaning of the following words?
friction experimenting Underwriters safety-matches inflammable peril ignite avoid accidentally device 3. Tell three ways in which matches may be dangerous.
| friction | experimenting | |
| Underwriters | safety-matches | |
| inflammable | peril | |
| ignite | avoid | |
| accidentally | device |