ELECTRICITY DANGER

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 118, 15 November 1945, Page 10

ELECTRICITY DANGER

HAZARDS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN

Last year twelve young children lost their lives as the result of burns and scalds, many more suffered grave injuries, and two were electrocuted. These disturbing facts were reported at yesterday's half-yearly meeting of the Dominion Council of the Plunket Society when the attention of the meeting was drawn to the number of accidents befalling young children through electric equipment such as hot water jugs, kettles, and heaters being left within their reach.

''Although manufacturers can make their contribution towards elimination of risk from electric fires or heaters by placing suitable guards on the market, the responsibility for protecting children rests primarily upon the parents," the report states. "Therefore, the council of the Plunket Society wishes to draw the attention of all parents of young children to the need of safeguarding all equipment within their reach, or teaching them to avoid accidents. Much publicity has been given through the Press and over the radio warning parents of the hazards from which young children must be protected. It is evident that 'safety first' publicity must be continually kept before the public in order to prevent the calamities which are recorded all too frequently."

BETTER FOOD AT RAILWAY STATIONS.

The following resolution was passed by the meeting:—"That as a great part of the Health Department's health campaign is directed towards securing balanced food for general consumption, the Health Department and the Railway Department be asked to confer with the object of improving the nutritional quality of food offered at the railway refreshment rooms through the Dominion, particularly for women and children."

As new railway stations are now being planned, the society urges that provision should be made for special rooms to ensure privacy for nursing mothers, and where babies' bottles can also be heated.

Mrs. James Begg, Dominion president, was in the chair at yesterday's meeting.