Today - Wednesday 14th October- is National Burn Awareness Day. As well as raising awareness of the shocking number of people burned every day, its aim is to help promote first aid should a burn or scald occur.
The annual awareness day is organised by the Children’s Burn Trust (CBT), a national charity dedicated to providing rehabilitation support for burned, scald injured children and their families. The charity also undertakes burn prevention and awareness campaigns, for which there is little or no national funding.
A burn injury is for life. The scars are both physical and psychological and can present life-long challenges for the individual and their families. Being burned or scalded can mean years of painful treatment and, in the worst cases, hundreds of operations to release the scar tissue. Children and the elderly are the most vulnerable, and the majority of injuries occur as a result of an accident that could so easily have been prevented. Prevention and good first aid are key to reducing the number of burns and scalds which occur each year.
For this year’s National Burn Awareness Day, The Children’s Burn Trust are highlighting the concerning correlation between social deprivation and the number of child sustained life-altering burn injuries, including the risk of firework injuries and fires outside of the home to children in the 15-24-year age group.
588 children a month require admission to an NHS Burns Service following a severe burn or scald injury. However, administering good first aid following a burn or scald can make an enormous difference in recovery times and the severity of scarring.
In the case of a burn or scald, remember the following:
COOL, CALL, COVER
- 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)
- Call 999 for help for any burn larger than a 50p coin
- Cover with cling film or a sterile, non-fluffy dressing/cloth
- Make sure 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.
Safety Guidance in the Home
| DO | DON’T |
| Install smoke alarms on each floor and test regularly | Drink hot drinks while holding a baby |
| Keep hot drinks out of reach of babies/young children | Warm baby bottles in the microwave |
| Make and practice Fire Escape Plans with the whole family | Leave hair straighteners unattended |
| Keep saucepans at the back of the stove NOT near the front – turn handles to the back | Allow children near BBQs or garden chemicals |
| Store matches and lighters out of reach | Allow children near fireworks |
| Store chemicals, cleaners, and acids out of reach | Leave children unattended in the kitchen, bathroom or near fires and heaters |
| Install thermostatic mixing valves in all hot water outlets | Put a baby/child into a bath or sink until the water has been tested |
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The Firechief range includes high performance fire extinguishers, fire blankets, first aid kits, lithium-ion fire extinguishers and Firechief CAVIUS Alarms.
For more information, call us on +44 (0)330 999 0019 or email sales@firechiefglobal.com.