aid Sure Pop, with a hearty handshake. Again
came that smile of satisfaction as he watched the boy hobble off on a
slow "observation hike" of his own. In Carter's mind, too, the big idea
was taking root.

Ten days later, Colonel Sure Pop was reviewing Dalton Patrol.

"Safety Scouts," he said, saluting the even ranks drawn up before him,
"your Colonel is proud of the work you're doing. These 'observation
hikes,' as your Scout Master calls them, show better than anything else
how much more alert you are to danger signs than you were a month ago.

"Now, I've been sizing up these risks as covered by your patrol reports.
They seem to be of three kinds--home, street, and railroad risks.

"Nobody can study these reports without seeing that our work is plainly
cut out for us for the next few months. Charity and every other good
work begin at home--though they end there only with the weak-minded! So
our work in Safety patrolling will naturally begin in our homes and with
ourselves, and will begin with the risks which these reports show to be
most common. Let me read you a few of the common risks reported by the
Scouts of this patrol:

Matches: left on floor where they may be stepped
on; or where mice may nibble them; or next the
stovepipe or chimney; or thrown down before the
last spark is out.

Celluloid things: brushes and combs handled near
the gas jet, where they may burst into flame.

Kerosene: poured on the fire to make it burn faster
(three bad cases of burns reported from this cause
alone).

Gasoline: left near a flame, or anywhere except
clear outside the house.

Gas: lighting oven of gas stove without first
opening oven door; leaving gas jet burning near
window, where breeze may blow curtains across (five
fires started that way during last month).

Electric wires: loose wires crossing, which often
cause fires.

Bathers: venturing too far out in deep water. In
nearly every case, it is the rescuer who drowns.
Never take a chance that may cost another's life.

Safety pins: left open within baby's reach. You all
know what happened to Mrs. Fuller's baby girl two
weeks ago, all through an open safety pin.

Hot water and grease: left standing where children
may get into them.

Dogs: left unmuzzle