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104
All local hardware stores and many other shops displayed
the circular window label, and where possible shopkeepers
were asked to keep a note of any increase in sales of fireguards
attributed to the campaign.
All shops (including secondhand shops) selling heating
and cooking appliances were visited by Public Health Inspectors
to ensure that the guards fitted complied with the regulation
specification.
4. Talks and Discussions
Duplicated notes for talks were supplied to all schools and
to others interested.
(i) Old People's Clubs—eight talks with the assistance of a
Station Officer, Essex County Council Fire Brigade
(Walthamstow Station).
(ii) Schools—Talks were given by Head Teachers or Class
Teachers in all departments of the Walthamstow schools.
In addition, fourteen talks at seven schools were given by
health visitors. Two parent/teacher meetings were
addressed by a health visitor and fire officer.
5. Local Press.
Full support was given by the " Walthamstow Guardian"
and the "Walthamstow Post" including feature articles and the
printing of the following poem spontaneously written by
Christine Harvey, aged ten, after a school talk on fire guards.
"Jemima was a lively girl
She loved to dance and play and twirl,
Jemima danced too near the flame
Jemima felt a burning pain.
No more can Jemima dance and play,
She sits in her wheelchair all the day.
It wasn't all Jemima's fault
Her Mother and Father should have thought,
Fire Guards a must should be
In every home in this country."
6. Other Action.
All officers of the County and Borough Councils who
customarily visit homes—health visitors, home nurse/midwives,
public health inspectors, housing inspectors, etc., and all
members of the Home Help Service were briefed to look for
fire hazards in all the homes they visited and to take appropriate
action.