---
title: Official Instructions Issued by the Ministry of Home Security - Gas Attack
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/gas-attack-ministry-of-home-security-1939/
description: A sheet of illustrated steps shows civilians fitting a gas mask, responding to the gas rattle at night and in the street.
section: Collection
---

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3. Official Instructions Issued by the Ministry of Home Security - Gas

[![Official Instructions Issued by the Ministry of Home Security - Gas Attack, 1939 UK poster: A sheet of illustrated steps](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/gas-attack-ministry-of-home-security-1939.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/gas-attack-ministry-of-home-security-1939.jpg)

# Official Instructions Issued by the Ministry of Home Security - Gas Attack

A sheet of illustrated steps shows civilians fitting a gas mask, responding to the gas rattle at night and in the street, and treating liquid or blister gas splashes. It is mostly plain instruction; the only fear-appeal tell is the implied threat of a gas attack, with no victims shown.

## Propaganda techniques used in this poster

[Fear appeal](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/fear-appeal/)

## Text on the object

Original (English) · read from the image, not independently checked

```
OFFICIAL INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF HOME SECURITY

GAS ATTACK

HOW TO PUT ON YOUR GAS MASK
Always keep your gas mask with you - day and night. Learn to put it on quickly. Practise wearing it.
1. Hold your breath. 2. Hold mask in front of face, with thumbs inside straps. 3. Thrust chin well forward into mask, pull straps over head as far as they will go. 4. Run finger round face-piece taking care head-straps are not twisted.

IF THE GAS RATTLES SOUND
1. Hold your breath. Put on mask wherever you are. Close window.
2. If out of doors, take off hat, put on your mask. Turn up collar.
3. Put on gloves or keep hands in pockets. Take cover in nearest building.

IF YOU GET GASSED
BY VAPOUR GAS Keep your gas mask on even if you feel discomfort
If discomfort continues go to First Aid Post
BY LIQUID or BLISTER GAS
1 Dab, but don't rub the splash with handkerchief. Then destroy handkerchief.
2 Rub No. 2 Ointment well into place.
(Buy a 6d. jar now from any chemist).
In emergency chemists supply Bleach Cream free.
3 If you can't get Ointment or Cream within 5 minutes wash place with soap and warm water.
4 Take off at once any garment splashed with gas.

PRINTED FOR H.M. STATIONERY OFFICE BY FOSH & CROSS LTD., LONDON (51/504)
```

[← Front-Line Breakdowns Can Lose Battles - That's Why Our Workmanship Counts](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/front-line-breakdowns-can-lose-battles-1939/) [Guard Against VD: Venereal Disease →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/guard-against-venereal-disease-1939/)

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