Caution About Flammable Cotton Fabrics
A WORD of caution is in order regarding the use of cotton flannel and outing cloth. Both make warm and serviceable sleeping garments and wrappers for persons of all ages, yet they need to be handled with care. Whether the danger comes altogether from the light, downy surface, or whether, in addition, some chemical is used in finishing them, it is a lamentable fact that these goods are exceedingly inflammable. Touch a match to a small piece of either, and you will see the fire run over the surface with inconceivable rapidity. On a small bit it is easily extinguished, but when once the flame has gained headway, there is little help for the victim. Within a few weeks three cases have come to my knowledge, where as many women, by presence of mind alone, have saved themselves from terrible catastrophes. Once, the head of a match flew off and caused the fire; a second time, the person, wearing a wrapper of outing flannel, reached her arm over a lamp chimney; and a third approached too closely to a stove. Each time the burning garment was torn from the person in time to save life. Children, and adults, too, run a great risk, venturing near a fire when clad in cotton of any kind.—Good Housekeeping.