Fire kills for than 600 children ages 14 and under each year and injures about 3,400 more; nearly 50 percent of children who are injured are under the age of 5.

Shriners Hospitals for Children and the Shriners of North America offer these tips to Prepare, Prevent, Respond to burn injuries.

Prepare

• Install smoke detectors on every level of your home, especially on the ceiling just outside bedroom�doors.
• Test smoke detectors monthly and change batteries annually.
• Maintain a first aid kit in your home.
• Develop an escape plan and practice it. Make sure each room in the home has at least two ways out and keep the escape route clutter-free and have alternatives in place.
• Know emergency numbers and information such as your name, phone number and address of the home.

Prevent

• Provide continuous supervision for your children.
• Keep matches and lighters out of reach.
• Keep children away from stoves, ovens, grills and appliances.
• Take extra care when cooking with�fryers. Never leave any cooking appliance unattended.
• Set your home's water heater to the safest setting--120-125 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Run cold water into tub first, then add hot water. Keep children away from faucets.
• Never keep gasoline in your home. Keep it outside in a well-ventilated area and away from sources of ignition.

Respond

There are several types of burn injuries. In the event of any burn injury, it is imperative that medical attention is sought immediately. The procedures below can be followed until medical help arrives:

�

Thermal burns are caused by contact with an open flame or other source of high heat, including appliances, steam or hot liquids.

• Put out any fire or flame or stop contact with steam, liquid or object.
• Remove hot or burned clothing, if possible.
• Cool injured area with running water within 30 seconds.
• Stop any bleeding.
• Cover burned area with sterile pad or clean sheet
• Attempt to maintain victims body temperature.
• Seek medical help.

�

Chemical burns are caused by contact with strong acids or bases. Household products such as bleach, concrete mix and pool chlorinators are among the most common sources of chemical burns.

• Flush affected skin with cool, running water for 20 minutes or more. If the chemical is a powder, brush it off the skin before flushing.
• Seek medical help. Even if the area is washed, the chemical may have penetrated.
• Contact poison control or your local emergency room

�

Electrical burns occur when strong electrical currents pass through the body. These burns may appear minor, but the damage can extend deep into the tissues beneath the skin.

• Look first and do not touch the victim, as the person may still in contact with the electrical source.
• Pull the plug or shut off any electrical current.
• Check the victims breathing. I breathing has stopped or you suspect the airway is blocked, begin CPR.
• Cover affected areas using a sterile gauze bandage or clean cloth. Do not use a blanket or towel as fluffy fibers can be irritating.
• Seek medical help

�

For any burn:

NEVER apply lotions, ointments or creams to the affected area.
NEVER use adhesive dressings
NEVER break blisters

�

�