Burn Prevention Tips

---

Each year, more than 486,000 individuals are seen in emergency departments, minor emergency clinics or physician’s offices for the treatment of burn injuries in the United States and Canada. In 2016 alone, there were 3,390 recorded deaths from fire and smoke inhalation injuries. The majority of these injuries are preventable.

Kitchen Safety

The kitchen is an area where a little prevention can be the most important ingredient in a meal. It is especially important to watch out for little ones while cooking. Children often want to be helpful and are curious about what is going on in the kitchen. This can lead to accidents, ranging from touching extremely hot surfaces to pulling hot liquid off countertops or stoves.

There are also several other ways to stay safe in the kitchen:

• Turn off all appliances if you leave the kitchen, even if you are leaving for just a few minutes.
• Make sure all appliances are being used appropriately.
• Use timers to track cooking times.
• Keep items like potholders and food containers away from stove eyes and other hot surfaces.
• If you do have a grease fire, smother or cover it. DO NOT use water to try to put it out!
• Never, ever try to carry or walk with a burning pot or pan!
• Cook on back burners and make sure all pot handles are turned toward the inside of the stove.
• Check to see if lighters and matches are up in a cabinet with a childproof lock.

BBQ Safety

• Place the grill in a safe location away from the house, fence, trees or children's play area. Pick an open space that's never indoors, in a garage or in a shed.
• Keep children, pets and flammable material away from the grill.
• If using a gas grill, make sure all hoses are intact and connected properly.
• When lighting a charcoal grill, only use charcoal lighter fluid and never re-light coals by throwing charcoal fluid on hot coals.
• Allow coals to cool at least 48 hours before disposing.
• Never cover hot coals up in sand.

Home Safety

Smoke Alarms

• Make sure there are working smoke alarms on every level of your home and inside every bedroom.
• Remind a grown-up to test the smoke alarms once a month.
• Check the age of your household smoke alarms. They should be replaced if they are more than 10 years old.
• Know what your smoke alarm sounds like so you will be ready to act fast in case of fire.

Plan Ahead and Know Your Escape Route

• Make sure everyone in you home knows how to get out of your house at least 2 different ways.
• Know the meeting place if you have to leave your home.
• Practice your fire drill at least twice a year.
• Call 911 once you are out of the home.
• Never go back in a burning home for any reason.