Burn Prevention

People of all ages are at risk for painful burn injuries in the home. A burn is an injury that results from heat or flame and can lead to serious scarring, or even death in severe cases. Fortunately, these injuries are easily preventable by following appropriate safety precautions. To make your home safer for family and visitors, follow this simple advice from the Home Safety Council:

	Electrical receptacles (outlets) in kitchens, bathrooms and other wet areas should be protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI). GFCIs help reduce electrical shock injuries. An electrician can tell you if your home’s wiring needs to be updated for safety.
	Always stay in the kitchen when you have something cooking on the range and give it your full attention. If you must leave the range for a moment, turn down the heat first and return quickly.
	Teach older children who are learning to cook burn prevention tips.
	Roll up sleeves when cooking and avoid reaching over burners and other hot surfaces.
	Avoid storing items you frequently use directly over the range.
	Keep children well away from the cooking area and place hot pans and cookie sheets away from the edges of counters where children can reach them.
	Use heavy oven mitts and hot pads when cooking.
	Learn how to prevent and extinguish a small pan fire.
	Keep electrical appliances such as toasters, radios, and hairdryers, away from the sink and tub. If an appliance falls into water, un-plug it immediately. Never reach into water to retrieve it.
	Never touch an electrical appliance when you are bathing.
	Unplug these appliances when not in use.
	Wood stoves, fire places and other portable heaters get hot on the outside. Keep young children well away from these devices.
	Store matches, lighters and candles up high, ideally in a locked cabinet, so young children cannot reach them.

Treat a minor burn injury immediately with cool running water for 3-5 minutes. Do not apply ice, which can harm the skin. Do not apply butter or lotions, because this can keep the skin temperature hot, increasing the injury. Apply a sterile bandage to the injured area. If the burn is serious, seek medical treatment immediately.

If your clothing catches fire remember the phrase, “STOP, DROP and ROLL.” This can save your life and limit your burn injuries. Stop where you are. Drop to the floor. Roll over and over to smother the fire. If someone else’s clothing catches fire, help them by telling them to stop, drop and roll. If they attempt to run, use a heavy rug or blanket to try to stop them and use it to smother the flames if you can do so safely.