Target Lights

Dating to 1943, "Target Lights" is a training film addressed to members of the Civil Defense corps to teach communities to prepare their homes for air raid blackouts. Introduced with the statement "these are the things you must learn to teach." "This film is an illustrated narrative of the method of preparing any home for a 'black-out'. It illustrates the vital importance to every family of knowing what to do and just how to do it. No details are omitted and the instructions are clear and well illustrated. Preparation of a shelter room is described and illustrated. The film underscores the danger posed by unguarded lights during wartime, as they can serve as beacons for enemy bombers, and explains the steps homeowners should take to properly black out their homes and prepare a shelter room. The video walks through evaluating different rooms for safety, selecting the best location for a shelter, reinforcing windows against flying glass, and installing effective blackout curtains. It also covers furnishing the shelter with essential supplies, lighting, and first-aid materials to ensure comfort and security during an air raid. The message concludes with a dramatized air raid scenario, reinforcing the importance of readiness and vigilance to protect families and communities

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0:00 – Introduction. Patriotic message praising the Citizens Defense Corps for their loyalty and civilian defense efforts.

0:30 – Emphasis on the importance of training and teaching others about civilian defense.

1:16 – Householders must prepare for blackouts and be ready for sudden danger.

1:33 – The video will demonstrate how to advise neighbors on blackout preparation and shelter room setup.

2:13 – Cities' lights are beautiful but dangerous during wartime—they can guide enemy bombers.

3:00 – All homes in America must be prepared for real air raids, not just drills.

3:30 – Introduction to Mr. Jones' typical American home as an example for preparation.

4:15 – Goal: convert a lighted house into a secure, blackout-ready home with a shelter room.

4:28 – Evaluating rooms for suitability as a shelter—upstairs bedrooms and basements have major safety risks.

5:33 – Hallways and living rooms are also ruled out for various reasons, including glass and wall exposure.

6:21 – Best shelter room choice: a rear room with minimal windows and wall exposure.

6:49 – First steps: blackout the window and make it resistant to flying glass.

7:14 – Scatterproofing windows using mesh and adhesive is explained.

8:45 – Blackout curtains setup: use heavy material with overhangs; test for effectiveness with a lightbulb.

9:58 – Constructing curtains with overlap and securing them to prevent light leaks.

10:50 – Aesthetic and functional tips for blackout curtains, including inner fabric and tiebacks.

11:16 – Furnish the shelter room with a strong table, chairs, and lighting—prepare ahead of time.

12:38 – Emergency supplies: lighting, first-aid, and guidelines for phone use during a blackout.

13:22 – Identify all lights in the house that could compromise a blackout—turn off porch and hallway lights.

14:06 – Use blackout methods for other key rooms (e.g., kitchen, bathroom, hallways), with tips for Venetian blinds and drapes.

14:50 – Be careful opening doors; ensure lights are off to prevent leaks—make blackout procedures a habit.

15:28 – Final message: Mr. Jones completes preparation. An alarm sounds—could this be the real thing?

16:05 – Mr. Jones acts quickly during the alarm; fixes missed light leaks—reiterating the importance of vigilance.

16:34 – Final reminder: protect yourself and the community—“lights out” is not just a slogan, but a vital precaution.

16:51 – End with music.