AIR RAID MENACE

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19663, 24 August 1935, Page 14 (Supplement)

AIR RAID MENACE

Special Instructions for Every Householder. Safeguarding of the Public.

~ow that the Home Office has Indicated to local authorities the general lines upon which they are expected to proceed in the organisation of safeguards against air attack, the Air Raids Precautions Department of ihe Home Office is engaged in preparing more detailed schemes, says a London paper. Conferences with local councils are to be begun almost immediately in an effort to deal with the special problems of the locality, its susceptibility to air attacks or otherwise, and the peculiar problems of protection with which it may be faced by reason of its local industries. The next big task of the department is, however, to bring home to every householder the necessity for him lo take steps for the protection of his own family from both bomb and gas attack. With this object in view a pamphlet is now in course of preparation to assist the householder. Entitled “Air Raid Precautions in the Home,” it will detail simple precautions which may be taken to render at least one room in the house capable of being made both splinter and gas-proof. The use of sandbags, which can be bought very cheaply and kept in readiness for an emergency, will be suggested. • Sandbags placed against doors and window's, it will be pointed out, will keep out bomb splinters, while two or three easy methods of sealing up a room to render it gas-proof will also be „ given. Treatment of Casualties. Householders will also be told how lo treat casualties both from bombs and gas, untit they can be given skilled medical attention. The pamphlet will also lay rules of conduct during air raids with a view to preventing panic, and will suggest the various ways in which residents may volunteer for service in their own districts in case of aerial attack.

deal with first-aid for air raid casualties, treatment of gas casualties, decontamination of material, structural precautions against gas and bombs, and precautions necessary in factories and business premises. Consultations are- already in progress with the Post Office to formulate a scheme for air raid warnings by telephone. It is possible by linking up circuits to broadcast warnings over a very wide area shnultaneously. One operator, in fact, could send a warning to every subscriber on an exchange, but, in addition, it is expected that the firing of maroons would be resorted to, this, in the official view, being still the best general method of warning. Choap Gas-Masks. It is also hoped that it will be possible to provide gas-masks, respirators, and anti-gas"appliances at a cheap rate to the general public. Within the next few weeks the conferences with local authorities will begin. The Civilian Gas School, which is to be -opened by the Government, will give courses to selected individuals from each district, who will be able to go back and give instruction there in the use of anti-gas appliances and other precaulionary measures. Local councils will also be expected to work out plans for alarm signals, blacking out all lights at night, and the creation of rescue squads for work in damaged buildings where people might be trapped. In addition, plans are being formulated with the officers of the Red Cross and St. John Ambulance Brigades, who already -have 10,000 members fully qualified lo render assistance in case of air attack. The first conference, which will be attended by members of the City Corporation, the L.C.C., the 28 borough councils, and other local authorities in the Metropolitan police area, will, it is expected, be held within a few weeks.

Other pamphlets to he issued will