The Prevention of Accidents in Childhood in Sweden*

The problem of accidents in childhood has aroused considerable interest in Sweden during the last few years. The impressive figures on accidental deaths in childhood provided by mortality statistics brought about, in 1954, the constitution of a Joint Committee for the Prevention of Childhood Accidents, including representatives of a number of interested organizations (the Red Cross, Save the Children Fund, National Society for Road Safety, Swedish Fire Protection Association, the Association for Promoting Elementary Swimming, Board of Health, Board of Education, Association of Nurses, women's organizations, etc.). Two medical advisers were attached to this Committee, one a paediatrician with a special interest in social paediatrics (Dr. R. Berfenstam, Upsala) and the other a paediatric surgeon (Dr. Th. Ehrenpreis). The principal aims of this Committee have been to incite studies of the problem, to promote safety measures and to inform the public.