Precautions Collection

Gas proof pram, 1938. A resident of Hextable in Kent, invented a gas proof pram in which a baby could be kept safe during an air raid

Two women police officers in gas masks, London, WW2
Two women police officers in gas masks in London during the Second World War. One of them is Florence Bragg (joined November 1936). Date: 1940s

Hippocrates Saves Athens
By his sensible precautions, the Greek physician Hippocrates saves the people of Athens from the worst effects of the plague which threatens them

29 November 1937 Sidcup fire brigade in gas clothing A John Topham / TopFoto
29 November 1937 Sidcup fire brigade in gas clothing eJohn Topham / TopFoto

British schoolchildren practicing putting on their gas masks, World War II, 1939-1945 (b / w photo)
6015158 British schoolchildren practicing putting on their gas masks, World War II, 1939-1945 (b/w photo) by English Photographer

Arriving after a gas attack, ARP training exercise during WW2

Removing clothing and burning it after a gas attack, ARP training exercise during WW2

Stretcher carrying technique, ARP training exercise during WW2

Giving treatment after a gas attack, ARP training exercise during WW2

Helping someone on fire, ARP training exercise during WW2

Applying artificial respiration, ARP training exercise during WW2

Using a stirrup pump, ARP training exercise during WW2

A Fire Party, ARP training exercise during WW2

Incendiary devices, ARP training exercise during WW2

Building an Anderson shelter, ARP training exercise during WW2

Removing an unexploded incendiary bomb, ARP training exercise during WW2

Helping to put on gas masks, ARP training exercise during WW2

WW2 - Death In The A. R. P
An illustrated front cover for a WW2 story book, Death In The A.R.P. written by G. Davison. The image shows an Air Raid Precautions warden lying dead on his front. Date: 1939

A. R. P. March Music Cover
An illustrated WW2 music sheet cover for A. R. P. March, composed by C. Gildersleeve. The image portrays some Air Raid Precautions and Civil Defence wardens. Date: circa 1940s

WW2 Birthday Card, A. R. P. Post
A WW2 birthday greetings card, the illustration shows an Air Raid Precautions post. Date: circa 1940s

WW2 Christmas Card, The Services
A WW2 Christmas greetings card which promotes the armed forces and services at home for aspiring youngsters, including the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, British Army, Air Raid Precautions, Police

WW2 Christmas Card, Put Out That Light!
A comical WW2 Christmas greetings card, the illustration depicts a scene in which an Air Raid Precautions warden demands that Sanda Claus puts out his light. Date: circa 1940s

WW2 Headwear Greetings Cards
A series of three WW2 greetings cards in the shape of service hats including the Auxiliary Fire Service, the Royal Air Force and Air Raid Precautions Warden. Date: circa 1940s

Sign at Gleneagles
A sign at Gleneagles golf course, explaining the procedure of sounding a siren in the event of a dangerous thunderstorm. Date: 1933

You Can't Be Too Careful!
Cartoon showing an over-enthusiastic ARP warden at a pantomime. He appears to be indulging in some unexpected audience participation. Date: 1940

Put out those dress shirts
Cartoon by Mel highlighting the risks run by gentlemen in immaculate eveningwear during the Blitz. Date: 1939

ARP Cleansing and decontamination facility
Air Raid Precautions (ARP) - Gas Cleansing and decontamination facility. Date: 1937

SERVICE RESPIRATOR/WWII
Service respirator: used by members of the Civil Air Raid precautions services, who may have strenuous duties to perform in heavy gas concentrations Date: WWII

Entrance, box office, security gate, Passion facade, Sagrada Familia, Basilica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada
IMB4824169 Entrance, box office, security gate, Passion facade, Sagrada Familia, Basilica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia, Basilica and Expiatory Church of the Holy Family, by Antoni Gaudi

Foot & Mouth Precautions Doncaster Racecourse Doncaster Lincoln Festival Doncaster, Doncaster Racecourse 08 May 2001 Date: 08 May 2001

Punch cartoon: Patent First Class Costume for the Collision Season - safety on the railways (engraving)
6034856 Punch cartoon: Patent First Class Costume for the Collision Season - safety on the railways (engraving) by English School

Precautions taken against the plague in Japan, 1908
An example to India: exterminating the microbe-carrying rat. Remarkable precautions taken against the plague in Japan. Photographs include sorting

Russians wearing gas-masks in precaution of a chemical warfare attack, various scenes as people go about their daily work. Date: 1932

Punch cartoon: patent garotte-proof overcoat (engraving)
6034702 Punch cartoon: patent garotte-proof overcoat (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Punch cartoon: patent garotte-proof overcoat)

Decontaminator in full uniform, September 1939
A London decontaminator in an anti-gas protective suit. As a result of fears of chemical warfare in the early stages of the Second World War

Sandbags protecting statue of the Black Prince, Sept 1939
As one of the many precautionary measures taken to protect Canterbury Cathedral from bombing, the statue and grave of the Black Prince was surrounded by neatly piled sandbags. Date: 1939

Civilians crowding around a gas-detector table, Sept 1939
Four people inspecting a new gas-detector table, set up to indicate a gas attack shortly after the outbreak of war. The table was covered with a paint that changed colour in the presence of mustard

Men painting warning signs for unexploded bombs, Sept 1939
ARP volunteers painting wooden boards with; " keep clear unexploded bomb" to be used as a warning to civilians when a bomb fails to explode. Date: 1939

Burying the stalls of Canterbury Cathedral Nave, Sept 1939
Men burying the stalls of the nave in Canterbury Cathedral in order to protect them from air raid damage. The Sphere describes how a train was used to transport the tons of earth to the Cathedral for

Huge blinds used to camouflage a factory, Sept 1939
Huge dark blinds used to camouflage an entire factory on an A-road just outside of London. Blackout regulations were imposed two days before the outbreak of war to make the factory less visible to

Canterbury Cathedral Crypt supports, September 1939
Photograph of the 843-year-old crypt of Canterbury Cathedral in which the apex of the vaulting has been supported with a series of wooden beams as a precaution against potential air raid damage

Machine painting road lines, September 1939
Three men using a " new gadget" to mechanically paint broken white lines down the centre of a London road. These white lines were introduced shortly after the outbreak of war to prevent

Women painting kerbside for blackouts, September 1939
Women of the Voluntary Ambulance Service painting the kerbside between their headquarters and the first-aid post to allow them to find their way in a blackout. Date: 1939

The West End in blackout, September 1939
Photograph of the West End in blackout, shortly after the outbreak of war in September 1939. The Sphere describes the sight as " extraordinarily eerie". 1939

Precautionary camouflaging of tents, September 1939
A group of people camouflage a tent in the countryside to protect it from potential air raids, following the outbreak of the war

WWII September 1939 Holiday makers filling sandbags
Holiday makers filling sandbags at a beach on the East Coast of Britain in the week following the declaration of war in September 1939. Date: 1939

WWII Jewish refugees helping with sandbags
Jewish refugees in Britain helping to place sandbags in front of a big hospital in the early days of the Second World War. Date: 1939

Outbreak of WWII - theatres close down
Covers being drawn over seats in the auditorium of the Palace Theatre in Manchester. All theatres in London and the provinces were initially closed due to a war order concerning places where crowds

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During times of war and crisis, precautions become a vital part of everyday life. In 1938, the gas-proof pram was introduced to protect infants from potential harm. Two brave women police officers in London during World War II donned their gas masks as they patrolled the streets, ensuring safety amidst chaos. In an iconic black and white photo from 1939-1945, British schoolchildren diligently practiced putting on their gas masks, preparing for any possible attack. The image serves as a reminder of the innocence lost during those tumultuous years. The story of Hippocrates saving Athens resonates through history as he discovered that burning sulfur could purify contaminated air. This ancient precautionary measure laid the foundation for future advancements in protecting against harmful gases. In November 1937, Sidcup fire brigade members were captured wearing full gas clothing while responding to emergencies—a testament to their dedication and preparedness even under extreme circumstances. ARP training exercises showcased various precautions taken during wartime. From arriving after a simulated gas attack to removing clothing and burning it for decontamination purposes, these drills ensured individuals knew how to respond swiftly and effectively when faced with danger. Stretcher carrying techniques were honed during ARP training exercises—essential skills needed to transport victims safely away from hazardous areas following a gas attack. Medical personnel provided crucial treatment after such incidents, offering hope amid despair. ARP trainees also learned how to help someone on fire—an unimaginable scenario made real by intense preparation. Applying artificial respiration became second nature as first responders trained tirelessly to save lives in the face of adversity. Using stirrup pumps was another precautionary skill taught during ARP training exercises—a valuable tool used to extinguish fires caused by bombings or other attacks throughout World War II. These glimpses into history remind us that they can not just about preventing disaster but also about preserving life and safeguarding communities in times of uncertainty.