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6. More children under 15 years of age die from accidents
at home, than from any single infectious disease.
7. In children between 1 to 5 years, home accidents are the
third main cause of death.
Home Safety Sub-Committees
During the past year the Sub-Committees of Orpington and
Beckenham/Penge, have supported the National Campaign on
general home safety topics, but particularly with regard to the theme
"STOP ACCIDENTS IN THE HOME", which was in operation
from April to September.
Great emphasis in this campaign was devoted to the physical
and mental condition of the injured person, and the material factor
of the home environment, with regard to tidyness, etc.
From October to December the project was again concentrated
on the National Fire Protection Campaign, in conjunction
with the Home Office, R.o.S.P.A., and the Fire Protection Associations,
and full publicity given locally to this most important
accident causation, with particular emphasis on oil heaters and oil
containers.
The members of these Home Safety Committees are fully aware
of all home accident problems, and they in their turn do everything
possible to inform the members of the public of these, and suggest
measures for prevention and other safe and sound procedures.
Many lectures, displays of material, film shows, are carried
out through clinics, schools, voluntary organisations, whilst small
and large exhibitions were on view at various summer fetes, etc.
Complete accident statistics are forwarded to Local Press offices
for publication.
Publicity material covering all age groups and their problems
was displayed throughout the Borough during the year, particularly
on local authority and school premises, with the valued assistance
and co-operation of Head Teachers and their staff, and members
of the Junior Accident Prevention Council.
From the 24th to the 29th October, 1966, the "Medicines with
Care" exhibition, promoted by the Pharmaceutical Society of Great
Britain, was on view within the Borough. Between 4,000 and 5,000
people attended during the week. During this exhibition the local
press had given valued assistance to this project in asking the public
to return to chemists' shops all unwanted drugs and tablets for
subsequent disposal.
During the year many requests have been received for talks/
lectures to be given to Youth Clubs, Parent/Teacher Associations,
Teachers Training Colleges, Old People's Clubs, Scouts and Guides
and many Junior and Senior Schools within the Borough. Many