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HOME SAFETY
In an attempt to bring home to residents of the Borough the
need for sustained efforts to guard against home accidents and thus
reduce the suffering and injury caused mainly to old people and children,
a "home safety fortnight" was held between 20th October and 3rd
November. The dates were fixed so that the campaign could finish
by drawing attention to the danger of accidents caused by fireworks
and Guy Fawkes bonfires.
The fortnight was opened by the Mayor at a ceremony held in
the Town Hall on the Saturday afternoon of 20th October. A small
exhibition was on display in the foyer of the Town Hall, illustrating
various aspects of home accidents and means of guarding against the
dangers. The ceremony was supported by representatives of a
number of organisations in the Borough and supported well in the
Hornsey Journal. The Hornsey carnival queen attended the opening
ceremony and called for support from youth, who although not in
general prone to accidents in the home, had a special duty towards
the aged and their younger brothers and sisters.
There was an essay competition open to all children living or
attending school in the Borough. The competition was divided into
two parts, the junior group for children under 12 years and the senior
group for those over 12 years. A choice of three titles was given
and entrants were invited to illustrate their essays by cuttings from
magazines, books etc. or their own drawings. Prizes of two guineas
and one guinea were presented to the winners of each group by the
Mayoress in the Mayor's Parlour in the presence of the Chairman of
the Health Committee. It was somewhat disappointing that there were
only 47 entries, many of which merely listed various hazards or precautions,
but others attained a high standard and showed a great deal
of imagination and ingenuity in presentation.
Traders, adult social organisations and youth organisations were
asked to co-operate in various ways but, in general, the response was
disappointing. It was hoped that traders would be able to arrange
window displays illustrating various aspects of home safety which were
related to their own products, thus helping the home safety campaign
and giving a novel appeal to their advertising displays. These hopes
did not materialise. The electricity and gas showrooms in Crouch
End Broadway both arranged interesting window displays.
Bookmarks were distributed through the public libraries and
wherever possible displays of posters and small exhibits were arranged.
Posters and leaflets were supplied to welfare centres in the Borough
and health visiting and other clinic staff paid special attention to
education for home safety during this period.
The Hornsey Old People's Welfare Council, whose visitors pay
particular attention to the use and care of oil fires by old people distributed
leaflets specially designed to promote the safe use of portable
oil fires.
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