In the United States, approximately 400,000 people receive medical care for treatment of burn injuries every year. Many of those injuries are preventable. The American Burn Association aspires to bring awareness to such injuries and provide guidance on how to prevent burns. National Burn Awareness Week is February 2 – 8, 2020.
Common Causes of Burn Injuries
Exposure to heat, through fire, steam, hot liquids or objects, radiation, friction, sun exposure, electricity, and chemicals all cause burns.
Burn injuries happen most commonly at home from accidents. Electrical malfunctions, kitchen accidents, and house fires are common causes of burn injuries.
Bonfires are frequent and wood stoves are customary in Alaska. Stay attentive and be careful when cooking and heating with fire.
Burn Prevention
It’s important to monitor children and be aware and cautious near an open flame or hot object or liquid.
Always apply sunscreen before going outdoors for extended periods of time, as even in the winter exposed skin can become sunburned.
Every sleeping room of a house should have properly installed and maintained smoke alarms. A Fire extinguisher should be easily accessibly located near the kitchen and on each floor of the house.
Types of Burns
First degree burns hurt the outer layer of the skin and result in pain and redness. These are often considered surface burns as they only affect the epidermis.
Second degree burns are more severe and affect the epidermis and dermis. Symptoms of second degree burns are also more extensive and include pain, redness, swelling, peeling skin, and blistering.
Third degree burns are very serious and affect the dermis and deeper tissues, sometimes causing whitened or blackened, charred skin.
It’s important to be aware that the degree of pain from a burn injury does not determine the severity of the burn. Often times more serious burns can be numb or painless due to significantly damaging nerves.
The Merdes Law Firm has been helping injured Alaskans for more than 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us … We’re here if you do. ~ Ward Merdes
Source: Cleveland Clinic, “Burns“.
