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with Ro.S.P.A. and the Fire Protection Associations arranged for
full national publicity on this very costly and important subject.
The human aspect of home accidents is related to age and
physical and psychological conditions, and one of the main
functions of these Committees is to inform the public of these
causes, and suggest measures for prevention.
This is done mainly by lectures, displays of posters, distribution
of leaflets, film shows, newspaper articles on accidents and
statistics, etc., and carried out through clinics, schools, voluntary
organisations of all kinds and through the local press.
Various Quiz Units and portable displays were shown at many
Summer Fetes and Shows, whilst large and small exhibitions were
held at clinics and schools.
A considerable quantity of publicity material was displayed
throughout the Borough during the year, particularly on local
authority and school premises, with the valued assistance of
Head Teachers and their staff, and members of the Junior Accident
Prevention Councils.
As a result of these displays and exhibitions, many requests
have been received for lectures on home accident problems to be
given to Youth Clubs, Parent/Teacher Associations, Teachers'
Training Colleges, Old People's Clubs, Scouts and Guides, etc., in
the latter cases, many of these training lectures being required as
part of the syllabus for the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.
All these lectures and tests were given by Health Visitors and the
Health Education Officer.
Hospital Statistics
From April to December, Beckenham Hospital recorded a
total of 1,198 home accident cases admitted for treatment, of which
374 were children, whilst the figures for Farnborough Hospital
from May to December were 1,003 of which 458 were children.
Records from Orpington Hospital from September to
December were 1,312; of these 489 were children.
This makes a total of 3,513 people admitted to three of the
local hospitals within the Borough, during the past nine months.
It is noted, however, that cuts, fractures, burns /scalds still
predominate as the chief causes of home accidents, but there is
great concern at the increasing numbers of young children who are
admitted to hospital, having taken by mistake, tablets and drugs,
which have been left within reach of these youngsters.
Every effort is being made to give full publicity to this type of
accident, and arrangements are being made for the Pharmaceutical
Mobile Display Unit on this subject, to hold an exhibition within
the Borough during 1966.