State Fire Marshal Offers Safety Tips For Burn Awareness Week

State Fire Marshal Offers Safety Tips For Burn Awareness Week

STOW — State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan is calling attention to national Burn Awareness Week, Feb. 1-7, with several warnings and tips. “While we traditionally associate burns with fires, the leading burn injury in Massachusetts is hot liquid scalds to children under 5,” said Coan. “Remember that hot liquids burn like fire.” According to the Mass­achusetts Burn Injury Reporting System, children under 5 account for more than one-quarter of all burn injuries. Scalds from hot beverages like coffee and tea, hot water in the tub, and spilled cooking liquids caused nearly 80 percent of the burns to children under 5 in 2014. On May 6, 2015, a 2-year-old New Bedford girl was scalded on her arm, chest, neck and face from hot tea. On Sept. 16, 2015, a 1-year-old West Springfield boy was burned over 20 percent of his body surface area when hot cooking liquids splashed onto him. Tips to prevent scald burns Place babies or toddlers safely in a high chair or playpen while drinking hot coffee or tea. When holding children, put your hot beverage down, because a wiggling baby can move your arm and spill the drink. Put drinks and soups toward the center of the table away from curious fingers. Babies like to grab things. n Consider replacing tablecloths with placemats to prevent children from pulling things on the table onto themselves. Create a 3-foot safety zone around the stove and barbecue where children are not allowed, even when no cooking is taking place. Teach children to keep themselves safe: their job is to stay three giant steps away from the stove or grill. Use the back burners and turn pot handles away from the stove’s edge. Constantly supervise a young child in the bathtub. Place children facing away from faucets, so that they cannot turn on the hot water themselves. Always turn on the cold water faucet first, then add hot water. Another tip is to set water heaters to 125° F or less. In Massachusetts, the State Sanitary Code requires hot water heaters be set to temperatures between 110° and 130° Fah­renheit. The code also requires mixing valves that also help prevent scalds to ensure bath water does not exceed 112° F at the faucet and water from other household faucets does not exceed 130°. On Jan. 9, 2015, a 3-month-old Boston boy was scalded when his mother was holding him over the sink to bathe and he accidentally slipped into the hot water. Also, Coan said scalds cause 19 percent of burns to older adults. Older adults also frequently suffer scald burns from hot liquids and steam. As we age our skin becomes thinner, and serious burns occur more quickly. On March 13, 2015, a 76-year-old Brockton woman was burned when hot cooking oil from a frying pan splattered on her. She received scald burns to 36 percent of her body. Burn first aid: cool water “Treat a burn with cool water; don’t use grease, butter, ointments, lotions or fats, because they can make the burn worse. Be sure to call 911 for medical help for all but the most minor burns,” Coan said. He also offered these treatment tips for burns: Treat burns with cool water to return skin temperature to normal. Never use grease, butter, ointments, lotions, fats or ice. Stop, Drop and Roll “If fire ignites clothing, it is important to remember to Stop, Drop, Cover and Roll,” said Coan. Children should be taught to stop, drop and roll if their clothing is on fire. Older children, adults and seniors must be aware that they can put out clothing fires even in a tight space, by rocking back and forth until the flames are out, or using a blanket or coat to smother the flames. For more information, go to www.mass.gov/dfs and search for “burn safety.”