FIRE GUARD

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 25, 30 January 1942, Page 6

FIRE GUARD

WATCH ON EVERY DWELLING

There is an apparent contradiction between (a) the advice to householders and their families to seek protection in shelters during attack, and (b) the instruction in a; new fire-fighting poster (to be distributed throughout New Zealand) that a watch against fire must be maintained in every home by at least one person during the whole period of actual emergency. In fact, there is not contradiction. Women, children, and old people should seek shelter protection, but one person in every household should keep watch and be ready to tackle small fires immediately. In many cases the watch may be possible from a shelter so located that the home is in good view, but roof and interior inspection will become imperative if bombs fall or fire occurs in the vicinity of the home.

The garden hose, filled buckets of water (with reserve held in laundry tubs), and sand are required in each home. Bucket or stirrup or similar pumps are altogether advisable, but for the present supplies are extremely limited, though large quantities are on order. The fire poster will set out the requirements and methods of use in detail. _^_____

The Scout Gilt Cross for Gallantry has been awarded to the 48th Kensington Troop and its Assistant Scoutmaster, Peter Cronbach, for their work at a local -hospital during -air- raids.