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39
HOME SAFETY
Miss D. E. Blackmore, S.R.N., S.C. M., H. V. Cert.
Home Safety Officer
The Campaign "Check that Fall" continued into 1960 with
particular interest centred on the housewife.
The Home Safety Committee rented a stand at the Millenary
Exhibition at the Croydon Airport. It attracted much attention
and it was estimated that 75% of those visiting the Exhibition
examined the Home Safety exhibits. The interest shewn by
children who delighted in demonstrating the various models to
their parents, was particularly noteworthy and this seems to
have been a most successful venture in giving publicity to Home
Safety topics. Many voluntary organisations helped to man the
exhibits.
The Ashburton Flower Show gave another opportunity for publicity,
the emphasis being on garden,country and water accidents.
The Poison Campaign opened in the Winter, posters and leaflets
were sent to medical practitioners, chemists and vendors of
certain poisons for display and distribution.
Following requests for guidance about paraffin heaters, it
was arranged with the Fire Prevention Officers for visits to be
paid to Infant Welfare Centres to discuss this with the mothers.
This was very popular and also gave an opportunity to discuss
other fire hazards in the home.
Six visits were paid on request to homes where there were
special hazards and advice given. The householders were put in
contact with the specialised technical officers.
Although the cases taken to hospital through accidents in
the home by the Ambulances are less, the deaths have increased
to 13. There has been an increase in burning, scalding and
poisoning, mostly to children under 5 years. There have been
three fatal accidents from suffocation (See Table Page 114 )
The parents are still loathe to buy protected and safe
materials for children's nightwear although several large stores
now stock these in Croydon; they seem to begrudge the few extra
shillings required although much money is spent on other unimportant
garments.
Lectures were given to the following:-
Religious women's gatherings - 12; Old Age Pensioners' Clubs - 4;
Students - 3;Parent Teachers' meetings - 3; Red Cross Cadets - 4;
Mothercraft - 10; School Children - 2; Townswomen's Guild - 1.
Tables are given in the Appendix, page 114.