National Burn Awareness Week

Developed by the American Burn Association, National Burn Awareness Week is being observed throughout the week of February 2-8, 2020. Annually held during the first week of February, this week is an opportunity for burn survivor support groups, burn care organizations, public safety, and injury prevention professionals to spread burn awareness and prevention methods. This year’s theme for the week is ‘Contact Burns — Hot Surfaces Damage Skin!’ to alert the public that common burn injuries result in touching hot surfaces, such as pavement, stove burners, irons or hair irons, fireplace doors and embers from campfires.

Burn injuries remain one of the leading causes of accidental death or injury in America, with almost one-third of injured people being children under the age of 15. Each year, approximately 400,000 people seek out medical care for the treatment of burn injuries. The primary cause of burn injuries includes fire-flame, scalds, contact with hot objects, electrical and chemicals. In fact, most burn-related injuries occur within the home. While 96.8% of people that suffer injuries end up surviving, many will sustain serious scarring, life-long physical disabilities and adjustment difficulties. 

National Burn Awareness Week’s initiative is to make the public aware of the frequency, devastation, and causes of burn injuries, as well as preventative measures. This safety education and prevention efforts will hopefully reduce the number of people that suffer burn injuries. To avoid contact burns, remember to have hot pads available when cooking, unplug hot tools when they are not in use, wear shoes when walking on hot surfaces, and turn off heating pads and blankets before falling asleep.

As we are facing the middle of the winter season, it is important to be prepared for cold weather and protect yourself against frostbite and hypothermia. Hypothermia is a medical emergency that occurs when your body temperature cools to life-threatening levels. It is often accompanied by frostbite, which is the freezing of exposed body parts, such as fingers, toes, noses, and earlobes. To avoid frostbite and hypothermia, pay attention to weather forecasts, dress appropriately for the weather and limit outdoor activities when the temperature is below 5 degrees.

If you have suffered a burn-related injury, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention immediately. After receiving medical care to treat the burns, consider exploring your legal options if the burn was caused by another party. The attorneys at Spiros Law, P.C. can help investigate who is responsible for the injuries you suffered and resolve your burn injury claim. Our attorneys handle burn injury claims and are experienced in representing burn injury victims. We have represented clients that have suffered an injury from many types of burns, including chemical, electrical and contact burns. Contact one of our attorneys today to discuss your specific situation and how we can help.