BURN SAFETY & AWARENESS

By Connie Hogue, Vice President of Human Resources & Safety

National Burn Awareness

Week is a window of opportunity to share a common burn awareness and prevention message in our communities.

Cooking is the number one cause of home fires and account for 47% of all home fires. Preventing a burn is always better than treating it afterward. Here are a few tips from the American Burn Association to help keep you safe in the kitchen.

• The best time to cook is when you are wide awake and not drowsy from medications or alcohol. Always wipe clean the stove, oven and exhaust fan to prevent grease buildup.

• Keep a pan lid and dry oven mitts near you every time you cook.

• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.

• When heating food in the microwave, use microwave safe cookware that allows steam to escape. Allow food to rest before removing from the microwave.

• Use a pan lid or splash guard to prevent grease splatter when frying

• Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling or broiling food. If you leave, turn off the stove.

• Check simmering, baking, roasting and boiling food regularly.

• Remain in the home while food is cooking and use a timer to remind you to check on the food.

• Double check to ensure all burners and appliances are turned off when you finish cooking.

1. Cover the pan with its lids. A cookie sheet works, too. Never move the pot or carry it outside.

2. Turn off the heat. With the lid on and heat off, the fire should put itself out. Never use water to put out a kitchen fire. Water can cause oil to splatter and spread the fire.

3. If the fire is inside the oven, keep the door shut and turn it off. Keep closed until the oven is cool.

4. If the fire gets out of control- get out, stay out and call 9-1-1.

• Stop the burning process with running cool (not cold) water for at least 5 minutes.

• Administer an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain control. Follow the directions on the label. Consult a physician or health care provider if pain is not relieved.

• Cover the burn with a sterile gauze bandage or clean cloth. Wrap the burned area loosely to avoid putting too much pressure on the burn tissue.

• For a small area burn (less than 1% or the size of the person’s hand), apply soothing lotions that contain aloe vera to a burned area to help relieve the pain and discomfort.

• Seek medical attention if there is a persistent fever not relieved by medication, redness that may extend beyond the border of the burn or pain is not controlled by ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

• Drink plenty of fluids (electrolyte-containing solutions such as Gatorade) if the person is dehydrated.

• Do not apply ice—this may cause further damage to the skin. Do not over cool! If you start to shiver, stop the cooling process. Minor burns will usually heal without further treatment.

• Do not use any butter, ointments or other home remedies on the burn. Such substances may trap the heat in the tissue and make the burn worse.

• Do not break any blisters—leave intact. Blisters may rupture over time—this is normal.

• Do not delay seeking medical attention if the burn is larger than the size of your hand.

Be sure to educate yourself and your family on burn prevention and response. Visit the American Burn Association’s website, ameriburn.org, for additional resources and information.