| Stay Fire Smart! Don’t Get Burned Testing the water before putting a child in the bath may sound like common sense. Wearing short or close-fitting sleeves when cooking on the stove top may show foresight. This and other simple actions may be all it takes to prevent devastating burns. Fire Prevention Week 2009 focuses on burn awareness and prevention, as well as keeping homes safe from the leading causes of home fires. For more information, games, and prep materials from the Fire Prevention website be sure to check them out at www.firepreventionweek.org |
Burn Prevention
Many people in America are badly hurt by burns at home. Hot water, other liquids and steam can cause serious burns. So can touching heating equipment
and other hot things. Some burns last a lifetime and are very painful. But there are easy things you can do to be safer.
In the Kitchen
Wear short sleeves or roll up your sleeves before you start to cook. This will keep your clothes from catching on fire.
Use long oven mitts to protect your skin.
Use back burners. Keep the pot handles turned towards the back of the stove.
If you have young children, teach them to stay away from the stove. Put tape on the floor so they can see where the “no-kid-zone” is.
It is not safe for children to use the stove or microwave alone. Teach older children who are learning to cook how to be safe from fire and burns.
Learn how to prevent and extinguish a small pan fire.
Wood stoves, fire places and other portable heaters get hot on the outside. Keep young children well away from these devices.
Store matches, lighters and candles up high, ideally in a locked cabinet, so young children cannot reach them.
Prevent Burns from Hot Drinks
Keep hot drinks away from the edge of tables and counters. Do not use tablecloths or placemats because young children can pull them down.
Use a “travel mug” with a tight-fitting lid for all hot drinks. This can help prevent a burn if the cup tips over.
Do not hold or carry a child while you have a hot drink in your hand.
In the Bathroom
How hot is the water coming out of your tap? Use a thermometer.
Set your water heater at 120 degrees F or just below the medium setting.
Fill the tub. Run your hand through the water to test for hot spots. Then help the children get in.
When children are in or near the tub, watch them closely. Young children and older people have thin skin. They burn more quickly.
*Install special tub spouts and shower heads that prevent hot water burns. These sense if the water gets hot enough to cause a burn and shuts off the flow
of water.
If You Burn Your Skin
Cool it with running water. Do this right away.
Keep the burned area in cool water for 3 minutes or longer. Do not put ice, butter or lotion on the burn. This could make it worse.
Call your doctor or 9-1-1 if the burn looks bad.
Many people in America are badly hurt by burns at home. Hot water, other liquids and steam can cause serious burns. So can touching heating equipment
and other hot things. Some burns last a lifetime and are very painful. But there are easy things you can do to be safer.
In the Kitchen
Wear short sleeves or roll up your sleeves before you start to cook. This will keep your clothes from catching on fire.
Use long oven mitts to protect your skin.
Use back burners. Keep the pot handles turned towards the back of the stove.
If you have young children, teach them to stay away from the stove. Put tape on the floor so they can see where the “no-kid-zone” is.
It is not safe for children to use the stove or microwave alone. Teach older children who are learning to cook how to be safe from fire and burns.
Learn how to prevent and extinguish a small pan fire.
Wood stoves, fire places and other portable heaters get hot on the outside. Keep young children well away from these devices.
Store matches, lighters and candles up high, ideally in a locked cabinet, so young children cannot reach them.
Prevent Burns from Hot Drinks
Keep hot drinks away from the edge of tables and counters. Do not use tablecloths or placemats because young children can pull them down.
Use a “travel mug” with a tight-fitting lid for all hot drinks. This can help prevent a burn if the cup tips over.
Do not hold or carry a child while you have a hot drink in your hand.
In the Bathroom
How hot is the water coming out of your tap? Use a thermometer.
Set your water heater at 120 degrees F or just below the medium setting.
Fill the tub. Run your hand through the water to test for hot spots. Then help the children get in.
When children are in or near the tub, watch them closely. Young children and older people have thin skin. They burn more quickly.
*Install special tub spouts and shower heads that prevent hot water burns. These sense if the water gets hot enough to cause a burn and shuts off the flow
of water.
If You Burn Your Skin
Cool it with running water. Do this right away.
Keep the burned area in cool water for 3 minutes or longer. Do not put ice, butter or lotion on the burn. This could make it worse.
Call your doctor or 9-1-1 if the burn looks bad.