Evening star., 1939-08-27

the ringing Of "hand bells" which means
there is no gas present in the neighbor-
hood.
Mustard gas, either in liquid or vapor
form, will injure any part of the body 1t
contacts. 1t also "contaminates" cloth
ing or other objects exposed to it. Hence
the home Office booklet advises that
persons who come in contact with the
gas in either form should remove their
clothing Immediately and wash thor
oughly with soap and water. To be Of
any avail, the change of clothing must
be made within 20 minutes after con-
tact with mustard gas.
Because of the "contagiousness" Of
mustard gas, families are advised to
either send their pets to the country or
keep them safely confined in order to
prevent the animals from communicating
human beings.
The instructions also deal particularly
with the handling of incendiary bombs.
Water Bucket Taboo.
EngliShmen are warned against throw
ing a bucket of water on a burning in.
cendiary bomb, as the latter will explode
and throw burning fragments in all di-
rectionS. Instead they are advised to Sc
cure a particular kind of pump which
throws fine spray, causing the bomb
to burn out quickly. Dry earth or sand
may also be used to smother bomb.
The aforementioned precautions are
listed as the Britishers first line of de-
fense.' Second line is the gas mask.
which today is an integral part of every
Englishman's wardrobe.
If you are moving permanently or
going away for any length of time, re-
member to take your gas mask with you"
is one of Some Things You Should
Know If War Should Come"
Special anti-gas helmets for babies and
special masks for children are familiar
sights in American news reels and Sum
day rotogravure sections.
Complete instructions are given by the
Home Office on the care and storing of
gas masks. A mask must be kept in a
cool place. 1t must not be dried by the
sun or artificial heat. 1t must not be
scratched
Trench Shelter Suggested.
Another section in the air raid precau-
tions booklet points to such added safe
guards as barricading houses with sand
bags, erection of trench shelter in the
garden, extra anti-gas precautions and
tirst-aid equipment. A final section deals
with treatment of those who may be
wounded, injured or gassed.
The government has also issued hand
books which deal with precautions to
be taken in factories and business houses
as well as booklet devoted entirely to
personal protection against gas.
Cooperating with the government,
their tenants of their excellent bomb
resisting properties"
In detailed memorandum, the man.
agement of one of London's largest blocks
OF apartments has told his tenants that
the basement corridors will give good
protection against everything but direct
hit with a very heavy bomb
1t is also pointed out that while the
basement corridors do not provide pro-
lection against gas bombs, some IL
shelters have been created" just of
the basement corridors where "it is be-
lieved about thousand people can Sc
cure reasonable gas and bombproof pro-
lection"
In the event of an air raid, the man.
agement of the aforementioned apart
ment house recommends that tenants
bring cushions to the shelters (not camp
stools or deck chairs. No dogs or other
animals will be allowed in these shelters,
the management stipulates.
Apartment managers have also CO.
operated with the government in its de-
fense program by making complete rec
ords of their tenants as we'll as by OBJ
tanning recruits for the A. R. P. organiza-
ton.
In small leaflet issued last May, the
government has announced that it in
tends to provide air raid shelters free of
cost for householders whose occupations
are "compulsorily" insurable under the
National Health Insurance Act or for
those who are not over approximately
$3.50 annually. This sum Is increased
$3.50 for each child of school age in
excess of two per family. All other house,
holders are expected to provide their own
protection.