The protection of your home against air raids / Home Office.

Date:
1938
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The protection of your home against air raids / Home Office. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    efficient. The facepiece, the edges of which fit closely round the face, prevents any air from getting inside the respirator except that which passes through the filters. It is held in position by adjustable straps behind the head. Once these straps have been properly adjusted, the respirator, if needed, can be put on instantly. These war respirators do not afford protection against ordinary domestic coal gas or carbon monoxide, which cannot be used as war gases. How to take care of your respirator If your respirator is ever issued to you, take great care of it, and when not in use always keep it in its box, in a cool place. After use, wipe off any moisture, either inside or outside, with a soft cloth and let the respirator dry before putting it away (but do not dry it in the sun or by artificial heat). When not wearing the respirator, remember these rules :-— I. Do not expose it to strong light or heat. 2. Do not let it get wet. 3. Do not scratch or bend the window. 4. Do not carry or hang the respirator by the straps. To stop the window clouding when you wear the respirator, rub your finger on a piece of wet soap (not carbolic), and apply a thin, even film of soap over the inside of the window. Why a respirator alone is not enough Your refuge-room is your first line of defence because a respirator cannot protect the other parts of your body from dangerous liquids, such as “ mustard gas.” These liquid “ gases ” need the most rigorous precautions, because they con- tinue to be dangerous long after they have been dropped. The vapour as well as the liquid affects the skin of parts of the body not protected by the respirator. Remember, too, that by staying in a refuge-room you have some protection against flying splinters and debris, as well as additional protection against gas.