View report page

- 19 -
CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT, 1961
This Act came into force on 19th August, 1961, and empowers
the Secretary of State to make regulations prescribing standards of
safety with respect to prescribed classes of goods or component parts
thereof, and prohibits the sale of goods not complying with such
standards.
The Heating Appliances (Fireguards) Act, 1952 was repealed
but the Regulations made thereunder are continued in force. It is
an offence to sell any gas or electric fire, or oil heater, suitable
for use in residential premises, unless it is fitted with an adequate
guard.
Generally speaking, traders do not commit offences under the
Heating Appliances (Fireguards) Regulations, but it is necessary to
keep a careful watch on the sale of second-hand appliances from
stalls in public markets.
Oil Heaters
In the early part of the year, a letter was received from
the Association of Municipal Corporations suggesting that local
authorities should consider taking steps to publicise the dangers
from oil heaters which had not been adapted to comply with the
standards agreed between the Home Office and manufacturers. The
Public Health Committee instructed that publicity be given during
the summer months to these dangers and to the need to check oil
heaters for safeness before the onset of winter. A bookmark was
devised in the department and the Central Council for Health
Education arranged for the printing of ten thousand copies which
were placed in the Council's libraries. Seven thousand leaflets
relating to the care and handling of oil heaters were obtained from
the Fire Protection Association and the London County Council and
were distributed to various organisations in the borough. The
Women's Voluntary Services assisted by distributing the leaflets to
old people with their meals-on-wheels and library books. The
"National Fire Prevention Week" held later in the year gave an
opportunity to follow up this activity.
"National Fire Prevention Week"
"National Fire Prevention Week" was held in the first
week of November in place of the usual Home Safety Week. The
sponsors were the Fire Protection Association and the Royal
Society for the Prevention of Accidents. In support of their
publicity on a national scale they asked Fire Authorities to
organise local campaigns.
The Public Health Committee agreed to co-operate with
the London County Council in the distribution of publicity
material relating to prevention of fires in the home. Posters
and leaflets were sent to youth clubs, old people's clubs, large
business houses, industrial concerns, voluntary organisations,
hospitals, etc. in the borough. A display unit obtained from
the London Fire Brigade during the campaign week, was placed in
the main hallway of the Town Hall. In the month following,
the unit was placed in the main entrance of the Central Library
and later transferred to the North Kensington Branch Library
at Ladbroke Grove, W.ll.
HEALTH HANDBOOK
The Council approved the printing by a commercial firm
of a "Health and Social Services" Handbook for the use of
official and voluntary bodies and members of the general public
in Kensington.