Instructions on what to do in a gas attack. This information was placed in Sunday newspapers, May 1941, Catalogue ref: HO 186/2247.
By September 1939 nearly everybody in the country had been issued with a gas mask (38 million). People were instructed to carry their gas masks at all times in case of attack. Adults had masks that looked like a pig-snout and the children’s were soon given nicknames such as Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. Even babies had gas masks that they could be placed inside.
Transcript
WAR GAS
OFFICIAL INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF HOME SECURITY
IF THE GAS RATTLES SOUND
Put on mask, holding your breath until mask is in position. Turn up collar. Put on gloves or keep hands in pockets. Take cover in nearest building quickly. Put up umbrella if you have one.
IF YOU GET GASSED
by Vapour Gases
1. Keep your mask on even if you feel discomfort.
2. If discomfort continues, go to First Aid Post.
by Liquid or Blister Gas
1. Dab, but don’t rub the splash with your hankerchief. Then destroy the handkerchief.
2. Rub No. 2 Ointment well into place (buy a 6d. jar now from any chemist). In an emergency, chemists will supply Bleach Cream free.
3. If you can’t get the Ointment or Cream within 5 minutes, wash the affected place with soap and warm water.
4. Take off at once any garment splashed with gas.
HOW TO PUT ON YOUR MASK
1. Hold your breath. 2. Hold mask in front of face, thumbs inside straps. 3. Thrust chin well forward into mask. Pull straps as far over head as they will go. 4. Run finger round face-piece taking care head-straps are not twisted.
MAKE SURE IT FITS
See that the rubber fits snugly at sides of jaw and under chin. The head straps should be adjusted to hold the mask firmly. To test for fit, hold a piece of paper to end of mask and breathe in. The paper should stick.
ALWAYS HAVE YOUR GAS MASK WITH YOU – DAY AND NIGHT. LEARN TO PUT IT ON QUICKLY.