Be #FDNYSmart with Burn Injuries

Hi Friends! It’s Siren here.   This week, February 5 – 11, is National Burn Awareness Week.   The goal of the week to share burn, fire and life safety education to prevent burn injuries.

Did you know most fire-related injuries are burns?  According to the National Fire Protection Association, about every 60 seconds, someone in the United States gets a burn injury serious enough to need medical treatment.

To help prevent fires you should follow the following safety tips.

• Follow safe cooking practices.  Don’t leave food or cooking unattended and little friends should stay at least 3 feet away from the stove.
• Don’t overload electrical sockets.
• Be careful when using portable heaters.   Be sure it is at least 3 feet away from things like bedding, clothing and other easy to burn items.
• Fire is not a toy.  Don’t play with matches and lighters.

If you do know someone that is playing with fire or setting fires intentionally, tell your grownup to read more about the FDNY Juvenile Fire-Setters Intervention Program here.

A scald burn is one of the most common ways kids get hurt.  Children five and under are the most at risk.  Things like liquid and steam can cause burns serious enough to require surgery.   Here are some tips for your grownup to practice to prevent severe scald burns.

• Grownups, set your water heater at 120 degrees F/48 degrees C or just below the medium setting.
• Run your hand through bath water to make sure it’s not too hot.
• If you have a choice, use back burners of a stove versus the front burners and turn the handles towards the back.
• Make sure to keep a “kid –free” zone of at least 3 feet from the stove.
• Use oven mitts when cooking or handling hot food or drinks.
• Make sure to keep an eye on your little friends at all times.

Electrical burns happen when someone touches an electrical source. This can be something within the house or even nature like lightening.  The following safety measures can help prevent electrical burns.

• Place plug covers on all outlets.
• Unplug all electrical items that are in your child’s reach.
• Use extra caution when using electrical items in areas where water sources are nearby, such as using a hairdryer in the bathroom.
• Don’t play with toys that must be plugged into an electrical outlet.
• Stay inside during a lightning or electrical storm.
• Don’t overload electrical outlets.
• Have your grownup replace frayed cords or loose wires.For more information about electrical safety, click here.

During this week be sure to share with all your loved ones ways to raise awareness about Burn Safety.   To get more tips check out our flash facts here.   Don’t forget to follow Siren and Hot Dog on Twitter.