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Deaths from suffocation in children are increasing. The
present view leads to the belief that these are often due to associated
disease, but precautionary measures are nevertheless of
great importance.
Accidental poisoning often occurs through children eating
pills or tablets which resemble sweets. This type of accident
is easily preventable if parents ensure that all medicinal tablets
and liquids are made inaccessible to children.
Coal gas poisoning still accounts for a large number of
accidental deaths, especially among old people. An investigation
was undertaken recently to assess the ability of persons
over 65 years of age to detect the odour of coal gas and the
following preliminary conclusions were reached:
(a) About a third could not recognise the smell at concentrations
below 50 parts per ten thousand parts of
air (and probably not at any concentration).
(b) Of those old persons who could smell gas, it appeared
probable that 95 per cent, could recognise it at a
concentration of 45 parts per ten thousand parts.
(c) For younger persons (under 65) the proportion who
could not smell gas was probably less than 5 per cent.
(d) Of younger persons who can smell gas, probably 95 per
cent can recognise 20 parts per ten thousand and
50 per cent, would be expected to smell 8 parts.
It may well be, therefore, that a diminished sense of smell
is a factor of importance in the occurrence of accidental coal
gas poisoning in older persons. Further research into this
question is indicated.
The prevention of accidents in the home is an urgent matter
Some preventive measures are summarised below:
(a) Education, especially in the schools, and by Health
A Visitors, District Nurses, Public Health Inspectors,
Home Help Organisers, Social Workers, Group Leaders,
Youth Clubs, etc.
(b) Propaganda—pamphlets, posters, public lectures, exhibitions,
film shows, broadcasting, etc.
(c) Provision of efficient fireguards—(i) the installation of
fireguard fittings in all new houses and flats; (ii) the
loan of fireguards by local authorities.
(d) Clothing—the manufacture for sale of night-dresses,
etc., made of non-inflammable materials. The cost
of these may be little more than similar garments of
ordinary material.