GAS-PROOFING OF HOMES

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 64, 1 August 1938, Page 1

GAS-PROOFING OF HOMES

NEW LONDON SERVICE OFFER BY BIG STORES LONDON, April 23. . Tlu* latest novelty in London’s department stores oifers a grim jest. For the equivalent of about £l2, one may have a rooim in an apartment or house “gas proofed’’ against the deadly poisons which enemy airplanes may ram on London in the event of another war. ...i--Buying anti-gas equipment is now as easy as ordering an ice-cream freezer or telephoning for the interior decorators to paint and paper the living room. At least one large shop offers toi gasproof a room in a. day, with less inconvenience to occupants than having the painters in for a spring season. The shop has circularised its regular 'customers, offering the anti-gas system which has been, adopted for Broadcasting House, headquarters of the British Broadcasting Corporation in London; Australia House, officers of the Australian Government representatives here; Red Cross headquarters add many public buildings. A Six Point Programme. The equipment recommended for private dwellings include : 1. A blanket shield reinforced with wire netting covering the windows on the outside. 2. Hermetically-fitting detachable panels inside the windows. 3. Bands to cover the fireplace and any ventilators.

'4. An air-lock outside the door, o. Thorough caulking of all floorboards, radiator pipe holes, cracks in ceilings and walls. (5. Removable door fittings.

This equipment meets the requirements of the Home Office Air Raids Precautions Department. Not only will it make a room gas-prooi. according to the salt's letter, hut it will protect the room from the effect of concussion or flying debris unless a bomb explodes in the ifnmc.diato neighbourhood. Safety* For 12 Hours. The cost of gas-proofing a rcorh 10 by 1011 with an Bft ceiling, one window and one door, which would accommodate five persons for 12 hours, is estimated at not in excess of £l2 10s. Extra windows would cost £5 each and extra doors £2d-lUs each for protection. Until the air raid begins the. antigas room may be used for ordinary purposes’ and is in no way disfigured by the equipment'. Once the walls, floor and ceiling have been, caulked, the other equipment may be stored in a closet dr cupboard, and may bo placed in position V'well within the seven-minute warning period.” One department offers to begin work immediately. An estimate will be supplied before the end of April

and the work will be completed before the end of May, with orders "“treated in strict rotation.” Bomb Proofing For Roof. With greater time allowance and at greater expense, the same store will line the roof of a house or particular rooms with . material “which greatly - reduces the danger from incendiary bombs.” Sample gas-proof rooms are on display. in the “decorating department” of the store, along with specimens of government-approved anti-gas clothing and gas masks. It has all been made? as simple as buying a tent, cot and waterproof sheet for the summer ' vacation. Hoping to cushion tiro shock which this offer was bound to produce, one shop began its sales talk’ 'On - the following apologetic note:— ■ “We are anxious not to be thought to be causing. our customers unnecessary alarm or td be making capital out of the pulilic apprehensions of the present time, but we feel there; are probably many who would regard the provision of a gas-proof refuge room in their house simply as an insurance policy and would appreciate facilities for getting this done.”