Protect Your Family From Fire and Burns

3/6/2018 (Permalink)

Burn injuries continue to be one of the leading causes of accidental death and injury in our county. Children, the elderly, and the disabled are particularly vulnerable to burn injuries, and almost one-third of all burn injuries occur in children. In 2014, there were over 3,000 deaths from fires and over 50,000 people were treated in hospitals for burn related injuries.

Though treatment for burn injuries has improved over the years, prevention is still the bets way to protect your home and family. Follow the tips below, provided by the American Burn Association, to help protect your family.

General Home Tips:

• Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement. Smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a fire in half.
• If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• If a pan of food catches fire, slide a lid over it and turn off the burner.
• Stir and test food cooked in the microwave before serving. Open lids away from your face, to prevent burns from hot steam.

Tips for Homes with Children

• Set water heater temperature to no higher than 120°F or just below the medium setting.
• Create a "no kid zone" in the kitchen around stoves, ovens and hot items.
• Keep hot drinks away from the edge of tables and counters.
• Place pots and pans on the back burner with handles turned away from the edge of the stove.
• Never hold an infant or child while cooking, drinking a hot liquid or carrying hot items.
• Keep matches and lighters high out of the reach and sight of children, in a locked cabinet.
• Closely supervise older children when using microwaves, or have them prepare non-hot food. Many burn injuries occur from children pulling hot foods and soups out of microwaves.
• Teach children to stop, drop, and roll if their clothes catch fire.
• Test the water before placing a child in the tub. Fill the tub or sink by running cool water first and then adding hot water. Seat the child facing away from the faucets.

If you or someone else sustains a burn injury be sure to:

• Cool the burn with cool (not cold) water to stop the burning process.
• Remove all clothing and jewelry from the injured area.
• Cover the area with a clean dry sheet or bandage.
• Seek medical attention.

If you would like to read more tips like these check out the American Burn Associations page here and the ABA National Scald Prevention Campaign page here.

*Statistics and tips provided by the American Burn Association