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146
Attention was drawn to the large number of home accidents
primarily caused by carelessness or ignorance, to the need for
education of the general public on the importance of safety precautions
in the home, and to the desirability of collaboration between
the health, fire and education departments of local authorities.
The most effective form of publicity is generally that carried out by
medical officers, health visitors and sanitary inspectors—and other
health workers who enjoy the confidence of the public—in the
course of their routine duties.
The Committee's Report emphasised the importance of good
building design and equipment, and this aspect of the problem was
dealt with in a special circular addressed by the Ministry of Housing
and Local Government to Housing Authorities.
The Problem.
During the ten years from 1940 to 1949 over 60,000 people
in this country died from accidents in their homes compared with
about 48,000 deaths on the roads.
The majority of victims are young children and old people,
and fatal accidents in the home are the third largest cause of death.
As there is no obligation to notify non-fatal accidents in the home,
their number is not known accurately ; nor are any official records
available of the man-hours lost to industry. But some idea of the
problem in terms of pain and disablement may be gained from these
figures relating to one Birmingham Hospital. Among the population
served by that hospital there were treated in the Accidents Hospital
(for home accidents) during one year some 9 per cent. of the children
under ten years and 3 per cent. of the adults. The average length
of treatment for a burn was 35 days, and for a bad burn (generally
caused by clothing catching fire) 50 days in hospital.
The Commonest Kinds of Accidents.
The commonest kinds of home accidents are :—
Falls (58 per cent.); burns and scalds (13 per cent.);
suffocation (12 per cent.); coal gas poisoning (8 per cent.).
The Commonest Causes of Accidents in the Home
falls.
(1) A dustpan and brush left on an ill-lighted staircase.
Stairs should be kept clear and well lit.