Preventing Burns At Home

Burn injuries in the home can be prevented

In the kitchen

 

• Unattended cooking is the leading cause of kitchen fires. Stay nearby at all times when cooking, even with microwave ovens.

   

• Keep children and pets away from cooking food. Enforce a "kid-free zone" of 3 feet (1 meter) around your stove when cooking

   

• Turn pot handles inward. Never leave them sticking out where they could be bumped or grabbed by a small child.

   

• Don't leave spoons or other utensils in pots while cooking.

   

• Turn burners and ovens off when they're not in use.

   

• Keep plenty of sturdy oven mitts or pot holders near your cooking area. Using a wet pot holder can result in a severe steam burn.

   

• Do not toss wet foods into deep-fat fryers or frying pans containing hot grease or oil. The violent reaction between the fat and water will splatter hot oil.

   

• Remove the lids from pots of cooking liquids carefully to prevent steam burns. Remember, steam is hotter than boiling water.

   

• If a pan of food catches fire, carefully slide a lid over the pan and turn off the burner. It is dangerous to attempt to carry the pan to the sink.

   

• In microwave oevens, use only containers designed for microwave use. Let microwave-cooked foods or liquids cool before carefully removing their covers.

   

• If you turn microwave foods during their cooking cycle, remember that the oven may be cool but the containers and food are very hot.

Hot Water

 

• Adjust your water-heater's thermostat to no more than 120 degrees F (49 degrees C) to prevent scalds.

   

• Always turn on the cold water faucet first, then add hot water.

Child Safety

 

• Keep matches and lighers out of children's reach -- up high, preferably in a locked cabinet. Use only child-resistant lighters.

   

• Do not allow children to play near woodstove or fireplace fires or around working space heaters.

   

• Cover unused wall outlets with safety caps and replace all damaged, frayed, or brittle electrical cords.

   

• Do not leave hot irons unattended.

   

• Do not leave barbecue grills unattended, and supervise children's cookout activities, such as toasting marshmallows.

   

• Teach your children that steam radiators, stove burners, irons, and other familiar household objects are sometimes hot and can burn them.

   

• Test bath water by carefully circulating hand and lower arm through it before putting children in the bathtub. Provide constant supervision while bathing children.

Types of Burns

There are seven common types of burns.

 

• Flame burns, caused by direct contact with fire.

   

• Radiation burns, caused by close exposure to fire or high heat.

   

• Scalds, caused by hot liquids or steam.

   

• Contact burns, the result of touching hot objects.

   

• Chemical burns, caused by contact with corrosive chemicals, such as battery acid.

   

• Electrical burns, caused by contact with live electrical wires.

   

• Ultraviolet burns, caused by overexposure to sun or to sun lamps.

A matter of degrees

Burns are classified by the amount of damage done to the skin and other body tissue. Every family member should be able to identify the severity of burns and know how to treat them.

 

• First-degree burns are minor and heal quickly. Symptoms: reddend skin; tender and sore.

   

• Second-degree burns are serious injuries and require immediate first aid and professional medical treatment. Symptoms: blistered skin; very painful

   

• Third-degree burns are sever injuries and require immediate professional medical treatment. Symptoms: white, brown, or charred tissue; often surrounded by blistered areas; little or no pain at first.

If your clothing catches fire: Stop, drop, and roll

The severity of injury caused by burning clothing can be reduced by following these three simple steps: