The wartime government needed to send out short messages that were above all else easy to remember. The ‘Seven Rules’ constituted part of the campaign to educate the public in how to behave responsibly in a wartime situation. They were also easy enough to be learned by children. Each one was a very brief précis of a larger message. For example, ‘Do not waste food’ was a lever into food as a general topic – growing your own, keeping farm animals where possible etc.

 

  1. Do not waste food.

 

  1. Do not talk to strangers.

 

  1. Keep all information to yourself.

 

  1. Always listen to government instructions and carry them out.

 

  1. Report anything suspicious to the police.

 

  1. Do not spread rumours.

 

  1. Lock away anything that might help the enemy if we are invaded.