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64
Accidents in the Home
During the year 1956 in England and Wales 6908 persons died
as a result of accidents in the home 80% of these persons were
in the age groups of the young and the old. Children and old
people therefore are the main participants in this ghastly widespread
and unnecessary domestic tragedy.
The commonest type of accident was the fall. Palls accounted
for some 58% of the fatalities Burns and scalds accounted for
12%.
It is plain to see that by concentrating our efforts on
accident prevention in the young and aged. with the possibility of
falls burns and scalds in mind, the greater part of the problem
can be met.
A special effort in this direction has been made during the
year by health visitors and public health inspectors who in
visiting premises have advised on special dangers to the aged and
the young Liaison with the National Assistance Board has in
many instances enabled aged persons to be given grants for fire
guards In one instance advice was sought from the Fire Prevention
Officer
The great wastage of life due to fatalities as a result of
burns and scalds is indeed terrifying It is estimated that
there are at present approximately 500 persons in hospital under
treatment for burns in the country as a whole; about two thirds
of them because their clothes caught alight Also approximately
125,000 of the public have at some time or another been in hospital
for the same cause.
It is hoped that the picture overleaf (published by the
Central Office of Information) so realistically demonstrating the
burning clothes of a child will instil a sense of importance of
the problem in all those responsible for the care of children so
that immediate action will be taken to
1. Guard that fire
2. Purchase flame proof materials
This is in anticipation of the Government Sponsored National
"Guard that Fire" Campaign for the ensuing year.