The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1941-03-20
Accidents il Home
Couse Many Deoths
Top Autos and Industry
AS Safety Experts Offer
Remedies.

Fatal accidents are more numer-
Gus in the home than any other
field or major hazard at this sea-
son of the year, exceeding even the
traffic packed streets, humming ma
chine shops of industry, and crowd
ed floors of busy public places, ac-
cording to the National Conserva-
ton Bureau, accident prevention dl-
vision Of the Association of Casual
ty and Surety Executives.
The reason for this condition, COM
pletely contradicting common belief,
say the safety specialists, is that
every agency of education, legIsla-
ton and engineering has been en-
ployed vigorously to reduce the
causes OF accidents in traffic, indus
try and public places, while such
agencies thus far have been able to
do little to bring similar improve
ment in the American home.
Beginning in January, the latest
complete accident figures show, the
number of deaths due to accidents
in the home rises sharply above the
motor car and stays there until to-
ward the end of May. But it is not
until mid May that the motor car
overtakes the home fatality record
and thereafter resumes its place as
the No. / killer Throughout the
year. however, fatal accidents in the
home are now more numerous than
in occupations or public places.
Six Principal Causes
Mrs. America, the real foreman
of the average home can do much
TO change this uncomfortable pic
ture,n declare the men and women
who spend their lives studying the
causes OF accidents and their rene
dies.
In order of frequency, the princi-
pal causes of accidental deaths in
homes are: falls, burns, poisoning,
firearms suffocation from general
causes and asphyxiation from poi
sonous gas. A periodic check-up OF
the home environment, it is said,
would detect most of these causes in
time and thereby prevent many ia
talities. So the safety specialists ad-
wise that instead of a general check
up Spring and Fall, during the u.s.
ual housekeeping seasons, an IN
spection be made each month.
In the meantime, here are some
simple precautions which are highly
recommended to help minimize
home accidents.
Loose rugs on highly polished
floors, particularly at the head OF
steps, are frequent causes OF fatal
falls. Such rugs may be made skid
proof by the use of proper mats
under them, adhesive preparations,
or merely by sewing ordinary fruit
jar rings to the underside.
Lock Up Poisons and Guns
Avoid an accumulation of COM
bustibles about the premises Never
use them to start or. pep up" the
fire Dampers on coal stoves should
never be completely closed. Oven
doors Of gas stoves should be opened
before the gas is lighted. Keep rooms
well ventilated
Don't substitute a coin for fuse
in an electric circuit Defective
wiring should be replaced. Under
no circumstances ever touch any
electrical appliance or equipment,
regardless of how we'll insulated it
may be, while standing in water
or touching any grounded metal
such as a radiator or pipe.
Keep all kinds of poisons, includ-
ing insecticides, disinfectants, ro-
dent exterminators, cleaning fluids
and plant sprays or busting pow
ders, locked away well out of the
reach Of children.
Never take dose of medicine in
the dark
If you own firearms of any kind
keep them securely locked up.