"Burn Awareness Week" begins

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan has declared February 5th - 11th "Burn Awareness Week."

According to the Massachusetts Burn Injury Reporting System, scalds from cooking and other hot liquids caused 41% of the burn injuries reported in 2010.

Scalds have been the leading cause of burn injuries every year, especially to children under five.

22News is working for you with some prevention tips for scald burns:

1.      Don’t hold babies or toddlers while drinking hot coffee or tea. Put your hot beverage down, because a wiggling baby can move your arm and spill the drink all over himself/herself.

2.      Place hot drinks and soups towards the center of the table, so that babies will not be able to reach and grab them.

3.      Consider replacing tablecloths with placemats, so that babies cannot pull everything on the table onto himself/herself.

4.      Set a NO GO ZONE around the stove and barbecue where children are not allowed even when no cooking is taking place.

5.      Turn pot handles inward over the stove.

6.      When you have a young child in the bathtub, supervision is always necessary. Place children facing away from faucets, so that they cannot turn on the hot water.

 
In case a scald burn does occur, Marshal Coan also offers these treatment tips:

1.         Remove the victim from the area of danger and call 9-1-1.

2.         Cool the burn area with cold water; never use grease, butter, ointments, lotions or fats.

3.         Gently remove any jewelry or watches from the injured area, before it begins to swell.

4.         Don’t remove any clothing that is sticking to the burn. This could cause further damage and/or infection.

5.         Cover the burn with a clean sheet or towel, to protect from infection.