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The three guest speakers were:-
Mr. Richardson, London Ambulance Service, who spoke on the Work of the Service,
Dr. E G. M. Palser, Senior Casualty Officer, Royal Northern Hospital, whose subject was
"Home Accidents as viewed from a Casualty Department"
Mr. L.L. Hughes, A M.I.E.E,, of The British Electrical Development Corporation, who
contributed ' "Further Thoughts on Electrical Home Safety''.
In view of the demand, a reprint became necessary of the handbook, ' 'Sense About
Safety'', which was produced in conjunction with the "Safety in the Home' Exhibition last
year. This handbook was based on a series of talks previously given to the Home Safety
Committee, and it is hoped that it will be possible to arrange for the production of a
second handbook in due course,
A compliment to our present handbook was paid by Holborn Borough Council who requested
permission to reproduce the book for their own Home Safety exhibition.
A considerable number of items were placed before the Committee during the year, and
the following may be of general interest.
Dr. Harding, Division Medical Officer, L.C.C. Health Division 3, reported his action
relating to an advertisement issued by a well-known firm of water heater manufacturers
showing a baby in a bath of steaming water, with a water heater depicted as directly over
the bath. He pointed out that this advertisement might well convey a suggestion to some
that babies' baths, with babies inside them, could be filled in this way. As a result of
the correspondence, the advertisement was modified and, it is understood, has since been
withdrawn altogether
The Home Safety Committee recommended to the Public Health Committee the provision of
Pension Book Wallets, appropriately overprinted with home safety slogans, for free distribution
to pensioners in the Borough 3,000 were obtained and distributed by this Department's visitors,
the Islington Old People's Welfare Council and the Women's Voluntary Service, as well as from
the Town Hall Information Office
The Committee gave much thought also to the subject of fires caused by oil heaters. The
London Fire Brigade Committee reported exceptionally heavy incidence of such fires in North
and South-west Islington, where the risk was approximately 65 per cent. above the County
average. Public Health Inspectors made enquiries of dealers in the Borough regarding facilities
for modification of existing heaters not. complying with British Standard requirements, and
also assisted in the distribution of a leaflet look After Your Oil Heater', which was widely
circulated to users of oil heaters both by the County and Borough Councils.
A resume of Dr. Palser's talk to the Home Safety Hommittee on the many types of accidents
seen in a Hospital Casualty Department was circulated for the information of all family
practitioners in the Borough
Inspectors also made enquiries as to the availability of flame-resistant clothing in
Islington's shops. Unfortunately it was found that such materials were not generally available,
and shopkeepers attributed this to lack of public interest, It is to be hoped that more
recent publicity will prove effective in increasing both supply and demand.
Among home safety posters and leaflets distributed through the Public Health Department,
the Committee requested that special attention be paid to one entitled "Plastic Bags-a Danger
to your Child", and this was gladly done by this and other Departments of the Council.