Tag Archives: scalds

General Safety Issues

OBSERVE NATIONAL FIRE PREVENTION WEEK!

Since 1922, Fire Prevention Week has been observed on the Sunday through Saturday period in which October 9 falls.  This week’s observation began on Sunday, October 6 and goes through Saturday, October 12.  “Prevent Kitchen Fires”—that’s the message of this year’s Fire Prevention Week.

More fires start in the kitchen than in any other part of the home—and here are some tips for people on how to keep cooking fires from starting in the first place.  Fires that originate in the kitchen are the Number 1 cause of home fires and home fire injuries – mainly from unattended cooking.  Some tips to prevent this are to never leave the stove while you are grilling, frying, or broiling food.  Keep wooden utensils, oven mitts and cup towels away from the stovetop.  Keep lids handy to smother a pan fire.  If you can’t control the fire, call 9-1-1 and leave.

 Another tip: establish a three foot “kid-free-zone” around the stove and area where food is being prepared. 

Scald burns are the second leading cause of burn injuries.  Microwaves frequently cause scalding burns.  One example is soup that is heated in the microwave is extremely hot when it comes out, and should be allowed to cool before it is consumed.  Children should be supervised when using a microwave.  If there is a fire in the microwave, leave the door closed, turn it off, and unplug it. 

Smoke alarms serve an important roll in reducing fire deaths.  Once you hear the alarm, there is a chance of  very little time left to get out of the house.  Families should have an escape plan and find ways to get out of every room. 

 According to an NFPA survey, only one of every three American households have actually developed and practiced a home fire escape plan.  While 71% of Americans have an escape plan in case of a fire, only 47% of those have practiced it. One-third of American households who made an estimate thought they would have at least 6 minutes before a fire in their home would become life-threatening. The time available is often less. And only 8% said their first thought on hearing a smoke alarm would be to get out. 

Take fire seriously, whether it is a kitchen or home fire, workplace fire, campfire, or any other type that you are able to prevent by being attentive.  Firefighters will appreciate your diligence.  Let’s try to make their job a little easier.

 

Source: National Fire Protection Association

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

IT’S NATIONAL BURN AWARENESS WEEK – 2013!

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’s theme focuses on Preventing Scald Injuries.

Scalds – A Burning Issue

Scald injuries are painful and require prolonged treatment. They may result in lifelong scarring and even death. Prevention of scalds is always preferable to treatment and can be accomplished through simple changes in behavior and the home environment.

In conjunction with Burn Awareness Week, (February 3 through February 9) the American Burn Association is providing information relating to scald burns for use in your own communities.  Although anyone can sustain a scald burn, certain people are more likely to be scalded —infants, young children, older adults and people with disabilities. These high-risk groups are also more likely to require hospitalization, suffer complications and experience a difficult recovery.

Most burn injuries occur in the person’s own home and the vast majority of these injuries could have easily been prevented.  Tap water scalds are often more severe than cooking-related scalds. The American Burn Association recommends the following simple safety tips to decrease the risk to yourself and those you love from tap water scalds.

  •  Set home water heater thermostats to deliver water at a temperature no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit / 48 degree Celsius. An easy method to test this is to allow hot water to run for three to five minutes, then test with a candy, meat or water thermometer.
  • Adjust the water heater and wait a day to let the temperature drop. Re-test and re-adjust as necessary.
  •  Provide constant adult supervision of young children or anyone who may experience difficulty removing themselves from hot water on their own. Gather all necessary supplies before placing a child in the tub, and keep them within easy reach.
  •  Fill tub to desired level before getting in. Run cold water first, then add hot. Turn off the hot water first. This can prevent scalding in case someone should fall in while the tub is filling. Mix the water thoroughly and check the temperature by moving your elbow, wrist or hand with spread fingers through the water before allowing someone to get in.
  •  Install grab bars, shower seats or non-slip flooring in tubs or showers if the person is     unsteady or weak.
  • Avoid flushing toilets, running water or using the dish- or clothes washer while anyone is showering.
  •  Install anti-scald or tempering devices. These heat sensitive instruments stop or interrupt the flow of water when the temperature reaches a pre-determined level and prevent hot water that is too hot from coming out of the tap. 

Cooking-related scalds are also easy to prevent. Some things you can do to make your home safer from cooking-related burns include:

  •  Establish a “kid zone” out of the traffic path between the stove and sink where children can safely play and still be supervised. Keep young children in high chairs or play yards, a safe distance from counter- or stovetops, hot liquids, hot surfaces or other cooking hazards.
  • Cook on back burners when young children are present. Keep all pot handles turned back, away from the stove edge. All appliance cords should be coiled and away from the counter edge. During mealtime, place hot items in the center of the table, at least 10 inches from the table edge. Use non-slip placemats instead of tablecloths if toddlers are present.
  • Never drink or carry hot liquids while carrying or holding a child. Quick motions may cause spilling of the liquid onto the child. 

For more information about preventing scald burns, contact the American Burn Association at 312-642-9260 or www.ameriburn.org.  Accidents happen so quickly, and burns are so painful and slow to heal, let’s all take a little more time for extra care where there is a potential for getting injured by burns.