Hot Tip! National Burn Awareness Week Is Coming Up!
“Hot Liquids Burn Like Fire!” is the 2023 theme for National Burn Awareness Week. The American Burn Association, dedicated to burn prevention and awareness in the United States, sponsors this campaign the first full week of February with a different theme each year. They strive to bring awareness to what can cause these devastating injuries to aid in the effort of preventing them. Here are a few measures to keep in mind to prevent scalds and burns.
Where There’s Not Fire…
Most burns associated with cooking are caused by a hot object or liquid rather than by fire or flame. We may be more cautious when we see an actual flame, but that oven rack, simmering soup or the handle of the sauté pan can cause just as much damage. Using oven mitts and potholders correctly and staying on task, rather than being distracted while you cook, will help to prevent inadvertently touching hot surfaces or liquids around your kitchen. Take care to protect your hands when stirring bubbling recipes on the stovetop or when pouring anything hot from one dish to another.
Kids in the Kitchen
Children under 5 account for a larger percentage of non-fire burns in the kitchen. In fact, cooking has been the leading cause of non-fire injuries for that age group. Taking extra precautions while cooking with children in the house is an obvious plan to counter the issue. Instituting a “kid-free” zone around the oven and stove is important. Children should be taught about the possibility of burns from coffee mugs, serving dishes and other items that make it to the table or countertop. Adults should take care not to hold children while cooking, drinking hot liquids or carrying hot food.
First Aid First
If a scald or burn does occur, quick first aid treatment can keep the injury from worsening. The longer the burning continues the worse the burn will be. So, make sure to move the burned body part away from what is burning it. For example, if hot soup spilled on your arm, quickly wash off the hot liquid. The next step is to keep the injury under cool running water for about 15 minutes to stop the burning process. If the skin is broken or blisters form immediately, you should go to the ER for treatment. If it’s a minor burn, keep it clean and uncovered until the burning sensation/heat subsides. Keeping it in cool water can ease the pain in the meantime.
National Burn Awareness Week is a great time to go over kitchen safety basics again with your children and others that may be around while you are cooking.
Cultris Security can help with your fire safety needs. We offer comprehensive smoke and heat detection systems for your home or business. Contact us online or give us a call at (281) 506-8466.
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