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Wednesday, January 3, 1973

SAFETY STANDARDS FOR HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES

Legislation Being Considered

The Government is currently considering legislation on safety standards

for household equipment and appliances.

The Secretary for Information, the Hon. J. Cater, told the Legislative

Council today that whatever the outcome of these deliberations, he believed that

"public education in such matters is important."

He was replying to Mrs. Joyce Symons.

He said some years ago, the Government issued some useful pamphlets

about safety in the home. These were now being revised and improved and would

include advice on the safe use of home appliances.

Mr. Cater said the pamphlets would be issued in conjunction with

appropriate warning announcements over the Government's broadcasting services.

Mr. Cater said: "It seems to me that this is only part, albeit an

important part of, a much larger problem.

"There are many dangers in the home; from open fires, from kerosene

stoves, from electrical equipment, and other household appliances, and regret-

tably as Hong Kong's householders become more affluent and more mechanised, these

dangers may well increase.

"Elsewhere, much difficulty has been found in legislating for, and

policing, safety standards for household equipment and appliances. But the

Government is, nevertheless, currently considering the matter."

/Mr. Cater