February 15, 2008
Fire Stops With You--
a National Burn Awareness Week message
by Trish Naughton, PHN
While Fire Safety Week is observed each year in October, National Burn Awareness Week, observed February 3-9, reminds people of the need for burn prevention. The Shriners' Children's Hospitals sponsor this awareness week every year. The 2008 theme focuses on the prevention of gasoline-related burns.
Some facts:
Nationally, in one year, there are approximately 1.1 million burn injuries, 4,500 deaths related to gasoline burn injuries, and more than 10,000 burn-related infections.
Children 10-14 years of age are most at risk for needing treatment for gasoline-related burn injuries.
Some gasoline safety tips:
- Gasoline and containers should only be handled by responsible adults.
- Gasoline should be stored only in approved safety containers, in well-ventilated areas not attached to the house, and away from all heat sources.
- Gasoline should not be used indoors, and should not be used to start fires in barbeques or stoves.
- Gasoline should not be siphoned by mouth. It is harmful and can be fatal if swallowed. (If gasoline is swallowed, do not induce vomiting; seek immediate medical attention.) 1
Other ways to get burned
There are, of course, other sources of burn danger. Scalding burns can occur from steam, liquids, or foods, and according to the Burn Injury Reporting Systems in some states, have been a leading cause of burn injuries for the past 20 years. 2 According to Alaska's 2006 categories of burn injuries, 34 percent of all burn injuries occurred as a result of scalding. 3 Infants, small children, elders, and those who have lost feeling in hands or feet, (e.g. diabetics, those with frostbite), are at special risk. (Interestingly, while most states have more reported burn injuries in the vulnerable age groups from 0-9 and over 70, Alaska's highest burn injury age group is from 30-39.) 4
With the high cost of fuel and our severe and changing winter weather, some burns result from the use of heating pads or hot water bottles as people attempt to stay warm.
Risks for at-home fires continue to run high. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, 36 percent of residential home fires each year come as a result of heating fires. Many of these are related to creosote buildup in chimneys and stovepipes.5
These fire safety practices can help:
Keep fireplaces and woodstoves clean.
- Inspect and clean woodstoves annually.
- Use metal mesh screens and leave glass doors open while fire is burning.
- Keep air inlets on wood stoves open to help prevent creosote buildup.
- Use fire-resistant materials on walls near wood stoves and keep area free of clutter.
Protect both the inside and outside of house:
- If possible, use seasoned hardwood and build only small fires.
- Never burn cardboard boxes or other debris in fireplaces or woodstoves.
- Never leave fire unattended; extinguish fire before leaving house or going to bed. (Soak hot ashes in water and place in metal container outside of the house.)
- Stack firewood outside, at least 30 feet away from the house.
- Install smoke alarms and carbon-monoxide detectors. (These should be tested regularly and the batteries changed at least once a year. Seek prompt medical attention if you feel dizzy, light-headed or nauseous, as these could be signs of carbon monoxide poisoning.) 6
If a burn does occur, some things to remember:
- Call 911 immediately.
- Cool a burn with cool water (never use grease, butter, or ointments on a burn).
- Do not attempt to remove clothing from burn.
Fire Safety and Burn Prevention does start with each individual and family. Be Safe!
Additional burn prevention information can be found at www.burnawarenessweek.org,
www.ameriburn.org or www.fire.gov.
1 Ibid.
2 Ibid.
3 "Fire in Alaska 2006", www.dps.state.ak.us
4 Ibid.
5 "Fireplace and Home Fire Safety", www.usfa.fema.gov
6 Ibid.
