Burn Prevention

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, fire is the second leading cause of accidental death in the American home. Each year, hundreds of thousands of fires are reported to local fire departments. The results can be devastating. Even more tragically, CPSC says many of these fires could have been avoided by following some precautions such as the following:

Cooking

• Never place items such as pot holders, towels or plastic utensils on the range, as they can ignite
• Monitor all items cooking on the stove, even those on a low heat setting
• Don't place cookies or other items children might want on shelves above the stove, to avoid tempting a child to climb on top of the stove
• Roll up or avoid wearing loose long sleeves when cooking, since these can catch fire if they come in contact with the flame or heating unit

Heating

• Make sure all wood burning stoves and fireplaces are installed and maintained correctly
• Have chimneys inspected on a regular basis
• Use extra caution when filling or using kerosene heaters
• Keep objects, especially flammable fabrics and liquids, away from heat and open flame
• If you must use an extension cord with an electric heater, make sure it has a high enough power rating and do not let the cord go under rugs or carpets

Smoking

• If you smoke, keep lighters and matches out of children's reach
• Extinguish all cigarettes before emptying ashtrays
• If you do smoke, don't ever smoke in bed

Children

A large proportion of burns in the United States occur to small children.

• Be sure that pots of boiling water are not left unattended if a small child is in the room.
• Cups of hot coffee or tea are easily spilled by curious youngsters. Do not leave them near an unattended child. Using a sealed cup can help lower the risk of a burn.
• Lit cigarettes left in ashtrays pose a serious hazard to children.
• Burns from irons are common in young children. Be sure an iron is never let unattended around a child.

Smoke detectors

It's also important to use smoke detectors. Follow the manufacturer's instructions when installing a smoke detector and test the detector regularly to make sure the battery in your smoke detector is working properly.

If something happens

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) says more than two million Americans suffer burn injuries each year, and about 70,000 of them require admission to the hospital.

If someone is burned, ACEP suggests for minor burns you run cool, not cold, water over the burn or hold a clean, cold compress on it until the pain subsides. Do not use butter or other types of grease. Do not use ice. Remove jewelry or tight clothing from around burned areas and apply a clean, dry dressing.

For more serious burns, call 911 for emergency assistance. Do not use water or break blisters. Do not remove clothing if it is stuck to the burned skin. Keep the victim warm and dry and keep burned arms or legs raised to reduce swelling. ACEP also says to get immediate medical attention for any of the following connected to a burn:

• fever
• puslike or foul-smelling drainage
• excessive swelling
• redness of the skin
• a blister filled with greenish or brownish fluid
• a burn that doesn't heal in 10 days to 2 weeks

Above all, plan ahead. Discuss emergency plans with all family members so that if there is a fire or burn, everyone, even young children, knows what to do.

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