Tracey Thornton, Lee Health Injury Prevention Educator
Every year in February, we observe National Burn Awareness to provide an educational platform to communities with the hope of preventing future burns. Burn Awareness campaigns help to reduce the number of burn-related injuries through collaborative community education.
Speaking of education, DID YOU KNOW…?
- “HOT Liquids BURN like FIRE!” -Cool the burn with cool or lukewarm running water for 20 minutes–do not use ice, iced water, or any creams or greasy substances such as butter. Remove any clothing or jewelry near the burn; do not move anything stuck to the skin from the burn. Treatment for a liquid burn is the same as for dry burns.
- “Skin is the body’s largest organ”– Skin has many functions, including acting as a barrier between the body and the surrounding environment and regulating body temperature. Monitor the body temperature of anyone who experiences a burn. Be sure that the person keeps warm.
- “Better to be Safe than to be Sorry”– Check your surroundings. Check water temperature in kitchens and bathrooms; push hot pots and pans toward the back of the stove to keep from burning yourself or your young children. Do not forget that hot drinks can burn too. Do not hang dishtowels on oven doors. Do not place any aerosol item near something hot or an open flame. Safely store and put away anything with a cord, and wear fire-resistant clothing.
- “Be Alert –Never get Hurt”–Never leave anything hot unattended, including fire pits, grills/smokers, and campfires. Remember that any shiny metal that is outside in the Florida sun gets hot quickly, like seatbelts.
- “Chemical Burns Require Medical Attention”–Burns caused by acid, alkaline, or any other chemical require medical attention. Call 911; remove the chemical by running the area under clean water continuously, being very careful not to touch the area or spread the chemical.
- “Protect Yourself and Others”–Always seek medical treatment for chemical and electrical burns, large or deep burns, burns that cause white or charred skin, and any size burn on the face, hands, arms, feet, legs, or genitals that cause a blister.
For more information and free fire-safety resources, visit www.usfa.fema.gov.
