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For the younger age groups talks hare been given on various
subjects by medical and health visiting staff to youth organisations,
schools and clubs. Articles have been written for local publications
and in this connection the assistance of the weekly press is very much
appreciatedo
Home Safety
Although a part of general health education, special activities
in connection with the prevention of accidents in the home are undertaken
by the Home Safety Officer who also acts as secretary to the voluntary
Home Safety Committees in the Borough„ The main Committee met four
times and the district committees as follows :-
Sutton and Cheam 9
Beddington & Wallington 6
Carshalton 4
In addition, representatives attended four meetings of the Greater
London Home Safety Council. On 8th September the Carshalton Committee
ceased to function and amalgamated with the Beddington and Wallington
Committee, the Carshalton Committee agreeing to continue with their
activities within the Carshalton area.
With the object of protecting children against all types of avoidable
accidents commonly associated with childhood, a "Protect Your Child"
campaign was carried out during the year. Suitable pamphlets and posters
were placed in all infant welfare centres and book-marks provided in
library books. Considerable interest was shown in the messages conveyed.
In September, by arrangement with the Pharmaceutical Society of Great
Britain, a campaign aimed at publicising the danger from the careless use
of poisons was used. The Pharmaceutical Society provided an extensive
exhibition which was displayed in the Public Hall at Wallington for one
week and at the Public Hall at Sutton for a second weekc Despite extensive
publicity to this exhibition the attendance was disappointing. 596 persons,
including pupils from six schools, attended at Wallington, and 1019 persons,
including pupils from seven schools, rangers and guide companies, attended
at Sutton* However, 7600 book-marks and 5000 leaflets were distributed
during the two weeks and posters displayed in all schools, libraries,
old people's day centres, labour exchanges and hospitals. Displays were
placed at the Town Hall, Wallington and the Sutton, Wallington and Cheam
Libraries.
During the exhibitions requests were made from schools and other
organisations for speakers to visit them in the future.
As part of this campaign members of the public were encouraged to
hand in unused bottles ofmedicines and boxes of pills to chemists shops
throughout the Borough. These were subsequently disposed of safely,
by Public Health Inspectors.
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