Smyrna times., 1936-02-20
STATE SAFETY
COUNCIL NEWS
Home Fatalities Have Been
Found Second Only To
the Automobile
SOME TIMELY WARNINGS

SOME TIMELY WARNINGS
Home fatalities are second only
to those caused by automobiles, ac-
cording to a preliminary edition of
Accident Facts prepared by the
National Safety Council. The
country's 1885 fatalities numbered
approximately 10000. The acci-
dent fatalities are divided into the
following classifications: Motor We
hicle fatalities 6,400; Home ia
talities, 81, 800; Public fatalities
(not motor vehicle), 1880; Occu-
pational fatalities, $500. The Del
aware Safety Council emphasizes
that one need not be fearful at
home but must be aware of the
potential dangers that lurk in
every house and be prepared to
guard against them. The kitchen
is the most dangerous room in the
house. 1t is an especially hazard
Gus place for children. Here is
where mother works with pointed
knives and shiny pans. Here is
where she turns little knobs on the
stove and wonderful things happen.
1t is no wonder that baby follows
her to the kitchen, tries to reach
the knives and pans, and wants to
play with the knobs. Although the
greatest danger comes from the
use of fire and the presence of gas
and hot liquids, falls, cuts and
scratches, and other kinds of ac-
cidents take their toll. The floor
is not highly polished, but the
danger of slipping is great if it is
not kept clean. Stepping on a
piece of fruit or into a puddle of
spilled oil or water has sent many
a person to the floor and thence to
a hospital. A rent in the linoleum
or turned up edge is similarly
dangerous. Every kitchen should
be equipped with sturdy step
ladder for reaching to high cup
boards. The hazards Of common
cookery are real and such process
es as deep fat frying can be ex-
tremely dangerous. Pans on top
of the stove should have their
handles turned in so that a child
cannot grasp them and SO that a
grown person will not inadvertent-
ly brush against them. Since pet
cocks are of a height to attract the
youngster it is advisable to have
them equipped with safety cocks
which cannot be turned without
first lifting or turning clip. Many
women have been burned by steam
when taking a top off roaster or
other cooking dish. The top should
be taken off farside first so that
the burst of steam will escape
away from the face. In deep fat
frying it is desirable to have no.
body else in the room. Grease
burns are terribly painful. The
potatoes or other food to be cooked
should be thoroughly dried before
immersion in the grease because
water causes the grease to sputter
and fly. With wood or coal burn
ing COX stoves, the things to look
out for are ID overheating the
stove so that nearby combustibles
are ignited by radiation; (2) the
insulation of the floor and nearby
walls to safeguard against this
hazard; (3) avoidance of such un-
safe practices as starting the fire
with gasoline or kerosene or hang
ing clothes too close to the stove
to dry or cleaning the stove with
a polish which contains benzine or
other explosives. Stove pipes should
be kept clean. A comon cause of
confagrations starting in the
kitchen is the electric smoothing
iron. Have an asbestos pad or
metal platform for the iron to rest
on and turn off the current if it is
necessary to answer the telephone
or door bell. Tin cans and bottles
should be disposed of promptly and
they should not be thrown into a
waste basket if children are creep
ing about. In using any cutting
tool, cut away from the body, so
that if the blade slips it will not
hurt you. A recent analysis of
home accidents requiring hospital
ization in Wilmington hospitals re-
vealed the startling fact that the
majority of home accidents occur
red in the kitchen, on Saturday af-
ternon, were cause by falls and in
vowed male members of the house
hold.