The Blackout was
introduced in September 1939. This was to stop lights on the ground
showing enemy aircraft where to drop their bombs.
Special Air Raid Wardens patrolled the streets after dark to make
sure that no lights could be seen from house windows. People took
a long time getting used to the Blackout.
Pillar-boxes were painted yellow, white stripes were painted on
the roads and on lamp-posts. Blackout curtains were made to stop
light escaping from windows in ordinary houses.
When men went out in the evening they were advised to leave their
shirt-tails hanging out so that they could be seen by cars with
dimmed headlights.
Even though steps were taken to make the streets safe, without
proper lighting thousands of people died in accidents before the
bombing even started.
You can find more information on the Holnet website London at War 1939 - 1945
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