BOMBING MENACE

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 23, 28 January 1938, Page 16

BOMBING MENACE

ENGLAND OF TODAY

CHILDREN'S WELFARE

PRECAUTIONS FOR SCHOOL

(From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, January 5.

Small camps to which children in danger areas should be evacuated in time of air attack are suggested in a circular on air raid precautions in schools, issued by the Board of Education. It is also proposed that all children should carry respirators with them to and from school in times of known danger, but "gas drill" has been ruled out because of possible "adverse psychological effects" on the children and on the general public. , The circular points out that the degree of danger will not be the same in all parts of the country. "Large and densely populated cities, seaports, and manufacturing centres are much more liable to air attack than less populous areas. Broadly speaking, the north and west of the country is less vulnerable than the east and south, though no part of. the country is beyond the range of air attack. In some cases the existence of military objectives may render an area more liable to attack." First consideration would have to be given to those places where the risk was so great that it would not be justifiable to collect children in large numbers in schools, and it would accordingly be decided to close the schools during the whole period for which raids might be expected. The short period of warning—seven to ten minutes—would not enable children to be sent home, and the primary importance of their safety would demand that they should be kept at home to share in the protective arrangements designed for the public. NO RESPIRATOR DRILL. In those areas which are especially exposed to danger;thei:ideal solution would be to:-evacuate the children— not all 6f whom will be of school age —to safer districts,'preferably in the country, where; they ■'; could be dispersed in private houses or public buildings, or -.possibly;, in small camps.' "All school children Twill be provided in emergency ~ by, the Government with, respirators; which they will carry with them to and, from school. They, will have opportunities to become familiar with them under arrangements made for other members of the family, and it is undesirable that any preparatory instruction of school children in peace time should be undertaken which might have .adverse psychological or other effects on them or the public; "For this reason anything.. in the nature: of respirator . drill or air-raid drill should not be undertaken in school except after very'careful consideration. It is considered better that no action involving the children themselves, except the instruction at home in the use of the respirator, should be taken until absolutely necessary." FmST AID BY TEACHERS. A proportion ;bf■ teachers should acquire an elementary knowledge of the treatment of wounds and anti-gas precautions, in order.to be able to give; immediate first: aid." Children should, be told in advance.,to return home if a warning were given while they were on the way to school, as the last place to be was iri'the street. _.-..->,•,, ' i. In places where/isolated raids might? occur shelter trenches or the .protect tion of rooms against gas or splinters might.be considered desirable. ' These might be constructed when, planning new schools or .altering old ones. It is recommended that many boarding schools which are in areas less dangerous than the pupils' homes should remain open. ..-■"■■..■'...'■

A carrier pigeon has flown 6250 miles from Buenos Aires to ■ Piana, on the Ligurian coast of Italy.'The bird was picked up on the cliff at Piana. . .