A health visitor investigation of home accidents in pre-school children.

The incidence and characteristics of home accidents in pre-school children were investigated in the northern part of Lambeth with the help of health visitors. Accidents were identified using the notification system from accident and emergency departments to health visitors. The study shows that there is not an easily identifiable group of high risk children so all must be regarded as potentially at risk. It also highlights how important it is that accidents treated at hospital are notified to health visitors and some ways for improving the system are suggested.