Doctor warns of danger of Ulster custom

Dr. JH MacLaughlin, divisional medical officer of health for County Antrim, told a meeting of Newtownabbey Road Safety Committee that this practice has resulted in serious injury or death.

He reported that all of the 30 women he had spoken to had a mirror above the fireplace in her home.

The doctor said: “A young girl is always looking at herself when a mirror is available.

“When she is doing so, it is highly probable that her flimsy dress will go on fire.”

However, he acknowleged that diseases such as polio, TB and whooping cough are more prevalent that accidents in the home.

He said that commonsense was all a mother needed to make the home safer for her children.

He went on to give the meeting a few safety tips advising against trailing electrical wires and he suggested that “rickety” furniture should be repaired.

He emphasised the need for fire guards and he warned against placing bleach in lemonade bottles.