[Report 1969] / Medical Officer of Health, Brixworth R.D.C.
- Brixworth (England). Rural District Council.
- Date:
- 1969
Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
Credit: [Report 1969] / Medical Officer of Health, Brixworth R.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.
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![Poisoni n?-: 1^9/J of all fatal .homo accidents in 1 year (1967) of poisonin,accidents involved household gas (642 cases] involved drugs, chemicals and all other causes of poisoning (775 cases). Common causes of gas poisoning are ahsentmindedness in leaving gas on, or partly lighted, lach of ventilation, using v/rong (rubber) connecting tubing for appliances; bad installation or repair. The human factor, carelessness is most often the basic cause. Other forms of poisoning include,overdoses of medicines: leaving medicines within reach of children; failure to use medicine clipboard; not checking dosage; taking internallj'’ lotions, rubs, etc., designed only for external use; children eating cosmetics. Domestic Chemicals such as bleach, disinfectant, detergent, pesticides, paint strippers, antifreeze, petrol, paraffin and other fluids cause accidents to children, often causing internal injury. Prevention; To prevent gas poisoning have any suspected leak inspected and serviced by the Gas Board; form the habit of checking that burners are alight; keep adequate ventilation to ensure a change of air, never use rubber connecting tubing; see that gas geyser flues are clear of obstruction; tighten loose gas taps that can be accidentally knocked on. To prevent medicinal poisoning - keep all medicines in a proper medicine cupboard (to British Standard Specification); check dosage eveiy time; use the 5ml. spoon for liquid medicines; get rid of surplus medicines by flushing down the lavatory;■keep medicines out of the reach of children; label all containers clearly; if in doubt destroy. To prevent poisoning from chemicals - avoid transferring to other containers, especially those previously used for food or drink; label clearly; store out of the reach of children, especially in garage, shed or greenhouse; observe manufacturers' warnings and instructions. Burns c: Scalds: ^Cr/o of all fatal home accidents in 1 year (1967) were bums and scalds (791 cases). Deaths are caused by - falling into unguarded fires; clothing catching alight; burns due to houses catching fire. Conflagrations are due to chimney fires, overturning oil heaters, careless use of smoking materials and electrical faults. Faulty electric blankets can cause burns and asphyxia. Scalding accidents are due to hot liquids - overturning kettles and saucepans, bath v/ater, v/ashing and v;ashing-up water, hot starch, and bursting hot-l^fater bottles. 16 -](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b28957969_0035.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
