JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas –
National Burn Awareness Week takes place during the first full week in February and is designated to provide an opportunity for burn, fire and life safety educators to unite in sharing a common burn awareness and prevention message in our community.
Most “fire-related injuries” are burns. Approximately every 60 seconds, someone in the U.S. sustains a burn injury serious enough to require treatment. Scald burns are the second leading cause of all burn injuries. A scald injury can happen at any age. Children, older adults and people with disabilities are especially at risk. Hot liquids from bath water, hot coffee and even microwaved soups can cause devastating injuries.
To prevent such injuries, experts recommend the following steps.
- Teach children that hot things can burn. Install anti-scald devices on tub faucets and shower heads.
- Test the water at the faucet. It should be less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius).
- Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
- Never hold a child while you are cooking, drinking a hot liquid, or carrying hot foods or liquids.
- Treat a burn right away. Cool the burn with cool water for three to five minutes. Cover with a clean, dry cloth.
In cases of minor sunburn or first-degree burns from a hot object, applying aloe vera gel or a similar burn ointment can help to relieve some of the irritation and swelling. If the skin begins to blister, apply antibiotic ointment to the surface, taking care to keep the area clean and dry when not coated with cream. Use clean, dry gauze to cover first or second-degree burns.
Whenever you experience a burn with more severe symptoms than redness and discomfort, you may need to see a physician for evaluation. If a burn is located on the face, palms, soles of your feet, or a tender area of skin like the inner thigh, you should consult with a medical professional.
The first step to treating a burn is to extinguish the heat source and move to a safe place. Pour cool water gently over the affected area instead of putting ice on the burn, as it can exacerbate the injury or cause long-term effects. Chemical burns require more water to cleanse the affected area from irritating substances. Keep the area dry and clean and watch for signs of infection. If you see an indication of bacterial infection at the burn site, seek medical attention.
For more information about burn awareness and safety, visit the National Fire Prevention Association at www.nfpa.org/education or contact the JBSA Fire Prevention Offices at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston at 210-221-2727, at JBSA-Lackland at 210-671-2921, or at JBSA-Randolph at 210-652-6915.