Hey Auburn - February is National Burn Awareness Month

2/6/2020 (Permalink)

It is important to be educated about the causes, severity, and treatment of burns.

The month of February is National Burn Awareness Month. According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), almost every 60 seconds someone in the US sustains a burn injury that requires medical attention. 

Types of Burns

• Friction Burns
  • Carpets
  • Motorcycle accidents 
  • These look like a "scrape"
• Cold Burns
  • Frostbite 
• Thermal Burns
  • Hot metals (pots or pans)
  • Hot liquids
  • Flames 
• Radiation Burns
  • Sunburns 
  • Radiation therapy 
• Chemical Burns
  • Acids
  • Bleach
  • Ammonia
• Electrical Burns
  • Electrical current 

Burn Degrees 

When talking about burns, we often hear them referred to as first, second, or third degree. 

First - Degree: Affect only the outer layer of the skin. They can cause some pain, itchyness, swelling, and redness

Second - Degree: Affects the outer and second layer of skin. They can cause pain, swelling, blistering, and redness

Third - Degree: Affects the outer, second, and deep layers of skin. Sometimes they are referred to as "full thickness burns" The skin will appear white, charred, or burned skin. There will be little to no sensation because the nerve endings will be damaged. 

Some precautions you can take at home to avoid burns:

- Keep chemicals stored safely away from the reach of children 

- Child-proof electrical sockets 

- Be sure cords are not frayed 

- Keep children out of the kitchen area while cooking

- Turn pot handles inward to lessen the risk of someone bumping into and spilling anything on themselves or others

- Unplug irons, straighteners, curling irons, when not in use 

- Check water temperature, especially before a child or elderly person is going to use it. 

- Always check your smoke detector batteries 2x a year. 

For more information about burns and prevention visit here and here

Check out this weeks Homeowner Tip Blog