A.R.P. IDEAS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 302, 22 December 1941, Page 3

A.R.P. IDEAS

TO SAVE WINDOWS

BLACKOUT DEVICES

Some ideas on the subject of preparations for air raids are supplied by Mrs. Phyllis Jeremy, of Seaview Road, Milford, who has had blackout experience in England, and is in receipt of a letter from a son in England about precautions suggested by actual air raid experience. The lady encloses the following from her son: "Here is an idea that I have applied to our windows which, I believe, will save the glass from any local blast. As you know, the force of an explosion creates a vacuum, artd the air from around rushes to fill this vacuum. If your house happens to be in the area the aid rushes out from the various rooms and, as it cannot go through the walls, it goes through the windows and takes the glass with it. If you fix the windows open it might save the glass, but the glass is still rigid.

"My idea is this: On the crittal type of window (shutter window, swinging, to close at the centre) you have a window catch halfway up. Fix a screw-eye on the window-frame opposite the catch, put through the eye a heavy elastic batid (half-inch thick and two to three inches long) and loop over the catch. The result is that the window is kept closed, but as soon as any force is applied the window flies open within the limits of the rubber band. Within 100 yards of the explosion the glass will be broken, but if the house is 300 yards away the scheme will save the glass. I think it is worth trying." Respecting blackouts, the same writer says: "Don't use boards or other removable blackouts. They are a nuisance and prevent ventilation. Buy some completely lightproof, flexible material, and line your existing curtains with that. At the top you will probably need something to cut out the reflected light from the ceiling. Black paint on the affected portion of the glass is simple, but two coats are necessary." „ To this Mrs. Jeremy adds that an effective screen for an electric light —such as a hall light—can be made from an oblong tin inverted with the cover off and a hole through the bottom for attachment to the flex above the bulb screw, similar to the screens at present in use in tram car interior lights.