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46
HOME SAFETY
In 1956, two Members of the Council drew attention to the
need to co-ordinate the work of many organisations and departments
of the Corporation dealing with the prevention of home
accidents.
The matter was considered by the Health Committee and the
holding of a town's meeting early in 1957 was recommended. This
proved a well attended and successful function at which it was
decided to set up a special Home Safety Sub-Committee of the
Corporation's Health Committee with powers to co-opt individuals
particularly interested in this subject.
In June, a One-day Study Course was arranged in conjunction
with the Central Council for Health Education to instruct
potential speakers, who form a panel available to lecture to
voluntary organisations. A transportable stand was also obtained
for use at fetes, flower shows and similar gatherings for display
of appropriate publicity material and distribution of leaflets.
A steady demand for speakers during the autumn and spring
of 1957/58 developed and 13 talks had been given by the end of
the year.
Reports of all accidents sufficiently serious to require
ambulance transport for hospital treatment were obtained from
the Ambulance Service, but owing to clerical difficulties, hospitals
were not able to supply figures of patients treated in
"Casualty" as a result of accidents in the home.
During 1957, 639 patients were conveyed to hospital following
a home accident and there were 24 home accident deaths.