National Burn Awareness Day
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is supporting National Burn Awareness Day, 19th October 2016, and issuing the following home safety advice.
A burn injury is for life. Being burned or scalded can mean years of painful treatment and, in the worst cases, hundreds of operations to release the scar tissue.
DO
• Install smoke alarms on each floor and test regularly
• Make and practice Fire Escape Plans with the whole family
• Run COLD water first in the bath or sink before adding hot water – test the temperature
• Install thermostatic mixing valves in all hot water outlets
• Keep saucepans at the back of the stove NOT near the front – turn handles to the back
• Keep electric kettles, irons, hair straighteners or wires out of reach
• Keep secure fire guard screens in front of open fires, heaters & radiators
• Store matches and lighters out of reach
DON’T
• Drink hot drinks while nursing a baby or child
• Put a baby or child into a bath or sink until the water has been tested
• Warm baby bottles in the microwaves
• Leave hair straighteners unattended
• Use baby walkers – children move too quickly without control
• Allow children near BBQs or garden chemicals
• Allow children near fireworks
• Leave children unattended in the kitchen or near fires and heaters
FIRST AID
Good first aid following a burn or scald can make an enormous difference in recovery
times and the severity of scarring. Two important things to remember are:
COOL, CALL AND COVER
FIRST AID ADVICE FROM THE BRITISH BURN ASSOCIATION
1. Cool the burn with running cold tap water for 20 minutes and
remove all clothing and jewellery (unless it is melted or firmly stuck to the wound)
2. Call for help – 999, 111 or local GP for advice
3. Cover with cling film or a sterile, non‐fluffy dressing or cloth. Make sure the patient is kept warm
STOP, DROP, ROLL
“Stop, drop and roll” is used when clothing catches fire. Children can get confused about when to stop, drop and roll. It is important to know when to do this. Children who do not have a good understanding of stop, drop and roll will sometimes do this if they burn a finger or need to get outside if the smoke alarm sounds. Only use stop, drop and roll when clothing catches fire.
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