Burn Awareness Week

2/1/2016 (Permalink)

The average annual cost of scald injuries is $44 million.

Burn Awareness Week is February 1-7. 

Burn Awareness Week, observed the first full week in February, is designed to provide an opportunity for burn, fire and life safety educators to unite in sharing a common burn awareness and prevention message in our communities. Burn Awareness Week, celebrated early in the year, is an excellent opportunity to “kick off” a year full of burn awareness education.

This year the focus is on scalds. Here are a few tips from the American Burn Association's website regarding Pediatric Scalds:

DO:

Set water heater temperature to no higher than 120°F/48°C, 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 ? Use a travel mug with a tight-fitting lid for all hot drinks ?

Place pots and pans on the back burner with handles turned away from the edge of the stove

DONT:

Leave a child unattended in the bathtub; if you must leave, take the child(ren) with you ?    

Allow young children to adjust the water   temperature or sit near faucet handles ?

Set anything hot on tabletops within reach of young children who can pull them down ?

Allow appliance cords (slow-cookers, deep-  fryers, coffeemakers) to dangle over the counter edge

Download the full PDF on their website here.

If a burn injury does happen to you or your child …

1)   Cool the burn with COOL (not cold) water to stop the burning process

2)   Remove all clothing and/or diaper from the injured area

3)   Cover the area with a clean dry sheet or bandages

4)   Seek medical attention

If you have fire damage call the professionals at SERVPRO 843-236-6278.