What To Do About Gas

This is a public information leaflet that was distributed to households throughout England, including those in Calderdale, during the Second World War. Leaflets such as this one provided the public with advice regarding what they should do in the event of a gas attack and covered everything from how to use and store a gas mask to what to do should a person ever come into direct contact with gas. The threat of gas attacks was a very real concern for both the British government and civilians and it was therefore deemed necessary to put emergency plans and precautions in place.

In addition to issuing civilians with gas masks, the government also ensured that decontamination units were set up in every area. Local decontamination units could be found in the following locations; Woodside Baths, Boothtown, King Street, Hebden Bridge, Clifton Street, Brighouse and Station Road, Sowerby Bridge.

Air raid wardens were responsible for alerting the public in the event of a gas attack and they would do this by sounding a rattle. Members of the public within that area were then to take cover and remain in the nearest building until an all clear signal was given.

Fortunately, these precautions never had to be put to use as there were no gas attacks.

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