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"To act tinder the general directions of the Health Committee
in the exercise of its powers under the Home Safety Act,
1961, as delegated to it by the Council."
The first meeting of the Committee was held on the 19th
November, 1962 and agreed to deal with the following matters within
the Terms of Reference -
"To carry out local propaganda to inform the public of the
extent and gravity of the home accident problem.
To enlist the support of appropriate public and voluntary
organisations in this work.
To investigate the causes of local home accidents and
possible remedies.
To participate in any national Home Safety campaign."
The Committee were informed of the past and current activities
of the Health Department with regard to Home Safety. Some of these
have been the subject of previous Reports; the more recent activities
are outlined below.
Statistics were presented showing the gravity of the problem.
A resume of the relevant legislation dealing with aspects of Home
Safety was also included for the information of the Committee.
Besides deciding to participate in the national Home Safety
Training Year, the Committee decided to put a number of measures into
immediate effect, notably local store displays, displays at local
functions, and lectures to local retail store assistants, youth
organisations and schools.
(b) Home Accidents - Local
Mention is made on Page 14 of this Report of 19 persons who
died as a result of accidents at home.
Whilst the number of non-fatal accidents is not known with
any accuracy, many victims treating themselves or receiving treatment
from the family doctor, an indication of the more serious accidents
can be gained from the records of the London Ambulance Service.
Detailed local information is available only for Division 6 of the
London County Council health administrative area, which covers the
Boroughs of Woolwich, Greenwich, and Deptford. However, it is known
that 463 of the cases referred to occurred in this Borough.
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