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64
The subjects covered range from Atmospheric Pollution to Rodent Control and
audiences from Old Persons to Youth Clubs.
The Department is very fortunate in having a number of members on the staff, both
technical and administrative who are competent and willing to give talks or hold
discussion groups on some particular aspect of health education.
Details of Home Safety and other activities are as follows:-
Home Safety
Home Safety Act, 1961
This Act. which repealed Section 82 of the London County Council (General Powers)
Act, 1957. enables certain local authorities including Metropolitan boroughs, to promote
safety in the home and to make contributions to voluntary organisations whose activities
consist of or include the promotion of safety in the home. The operative date of the
Act was the 18th May, 1961.
Talks
6 talks on Home Safety were given to a total audience of 144.
Average attendance 24
8 talks on Care and Maintenance of Oil Heaters were given to a total
audience of 362. Average attendance 45
(These talks were directed principally to members of Old Persons' Clubs and were
given by my deputy, Dr. C A Meade).
Paraffin Oil Heaters - Modifications
An advertisement was published in the local press and a letter sent to all shops in
the Borough known to be selling oil heaters, drawing their attention to the advertisement
and inviting their co-operation. The organisers of Old People's Social Clubs in the
Borough were contacted and talks given to their members on the potential danger of using
oil heaters which were defective through age or had not been properly maintained.
A model heater and a variety of worn or damaged parts of heaters were loaned for
demonstration purposes, together with leaflets entitled "Oil Heater Service". These
leaflets were also distributed to all dealers in the Borough.
Announcements at Old People's Concerts
By agreement with the Civic Recreation Committee it was arranged that these
announcements should be made on Home Safety and Road Safety at alternate shows. The
first of these announcements was made on 6th December.
Campaigns
Details of the action taken in the campaigns supported by the Department are
as follows:-
"Use Gas the Safe Way" - January to March
A press statement was issued in conjunction with the Gas Board incorporating an
advertisement "Remember, Carelessness Kills - Use Gas the Safe Way". 150 posters
"Guard against Escaping Gas" - were purchased. 100 of these being placed on commercial
sites and the remainder on Council sites. Leaflets on the safe use of gas were sent to
all Borough Organisations together with a circular letter drawing their attention to the
campaign. A poster display was exhibited in the foyer of the Public Health Department.
Every co operation was received from the North Thames Gas Board in connection with
this campaign.