This is National Burn Awareness Week, through Saturday, Feb. 7. According to the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal, almost one-third of all burn injuries occur in children younger than 15.
These burns aren’t just from fire. Chemicals, hot liquids and heated devices, such as clothing irons, hair curlers and, of course, hot plates and stove tops, play a big role in burn injuries.
Burn injuries continue to be a significant public health issue, as more than 398,000 people received medical care for burns in the United States in 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Compared to the overall population, children under five were two times as likely to be seen for burn injuries at a hospital emergency department. Many of these injuries occur in the home and are preventable through awareness and education.
The majority of these injuries are preventable. The American Burn Association aims to bring awareness to the causes of such devastating and costly injuries and encourages everyone to make simple environmental and behavioral changes that can save lives.
This year’s theme highlights workplace burn prevention.
Burn risks are present in every living space, from homes to apartments to temporary shelters.
This year’s theme, “Burn Prevention Where You Live, Work, and Play — Preventing Burns in the Workplace,” focuses on reducing risks across occupational environments, including healthcare facilities, commercial kitchens, laboratories, construction sites and manufacturing settings.
Simple actions can significantly reduce burn risk on the job:
• Heat and equipment safety: Use protective equipment when working with hot surfaces, machinery or open flames
• Chemical handling: Follow proper storage, labeling and handling protocols for hazardous materials
• Electrical awareness: Inspect cords and equipment regularly and avoid overloading outlets; and
• Training and preparedness: Participate in workplace safety training and ensure emergency response plans are visible and accessible.
Burns are not just caused by getting too close to a fire or accidentally hitting the inside edge of the oven when you are cooking. According to the ABA, roughly 32% of those admitted to the hospital for burn-related injuries had to do with scalds.
There are yet more numbers that should give parents and caretakers pause: Each day more than 300 children find themselves in an emergency room from burns, and two of those die from their injuries, according to the ABA.
All year long, you have the power to prevent fires and protect those around you.
Follow this checklist from the ABA to help keep your home, community and loved ones safe:
• Test smoke alarms and replace batteries — Ensure your alarms are functional and everyone in your home knows the sound of an alert
• Review and practice your fire escape plan — Make sure you know multiple exit routes and practice your escape plan with your family
• Check and learn to use your fire extinguisher — Keep your fire extinguisher easily accessible, and make sure everyone knows how to use it
• Clear flammable materials away from heat sources — Move any items that could catch fire from stoves, space heaters and electrical outlets
• Commit to kitchen safety — Never leave cooking food unattended. Use timers, keep handles turned inward and always stay close when cooking
• Participate in fire safety events — Join your local community in fire safety drills and education. It’s a fun, effective way to stay prepared
• Inspect electrical cords and outlets — Make sure cords are undamaged and never overload outlets; and
• Check heating devices for safety — Regularly inspect space heaters and keep them away from flammable items like fabrics or paper.
Weeks like this are a good time to reflect on the kinds of things we do routinely that can go so wrong with a slip or during a bout of absentmindedness. So be careful out there.
SOUTHERN MARYLAND NEWS EDITORIAL
