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Certainly the evidence suggests that many parents are grateful when the
school is willing to take over part of this responsibility. The co-operation
of parents should of course be sought at all times. Many Head Teachers have
found it valuable to invite parents to meetings at which can be shown books
and various aids to teaching which will be used in the work at school, and can
hear talks about the kind of information and help their children may need at
particular stages of their development. Talks of this nature are often given
by school doctors, nurses or teachers, but it is emphasised that speakers so
chosen should be qualified by personality, background and training, to speak
on this subject.
HOME SAFETY.
From January to December 19&9, a "total of 9>509 home accidents cases
were treated at the hospitals of Beckenham. Farnborough, Orpington and Bromley.
Of these 5?484 were adults and 4,025 wore children.
In 1968, the overall total from those hospitals was 8,130 and of these
4,569 were adults and 3,561 were children.
This shows an increase of 1,379 more casualties in 1969, as compared
with the previous year. Of these 915 were adults and 464 children.
This increase is most disappointing, although enquiries reveal that the
majority of these accidents, both to the adults and children, wore of a minor category
The result however is the same - more and more- effort must be made to make the
general public aware of Accident Prevention.
Therefore education of the public must be the first priority, and must
consist of example, teaching, exhortation and publicity to all sectors on all
faults. To ignore any sector is wasted effort.
It is useless educating the child without educating the mother, it is also
useless educating the elderly, without educating those who might have to look after
them.
Once again the throe most prominent causes of these home accidents, with
possible complications, according to the statistics supplied by the Hospital
Authorities are given as follows.
1. FALLS This is a chief danger to old people.
2. BURNS/SCALDS Affect both young and old people.
3. POISONING This is adanger to adults, especially in relation to coal gas,
medicinal substances, through overdoses, mistakes etc., and
also to the very young who find drugs, tablots, medicines,
detergents etc. loose in cupboards, drawers etc.
LOCAL CAMPAIGNS, I97O
In an effort to reduce these appalling numbers of home accidents, the
Home Safety Committees of the Borough, have co-operated with the Royal Society
for the Prevention of Accidents in their National Campaign for the year as follows5-
JANUARY - MARCH "Face the facts"
APRIL - JUNE Babies - The first three years.
JULY - SEPTEMBER Care of medicines - R.o.S.P.A. Leaflets/Posters.
OCTOBER - DECEMBER Winter hazards.
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