BENTON COUNTY, Wash.—More than 200,000 people were injured in burn injuries in 2020, demonstrating the importance of prevention education to protect adults and children from burn injuries.
“Burns affect people of all ages, and it's never too early to start educating people about burns and fire prevention,” said Susan Day, executive director of the Burn Institute.
In 2020, 276,086 people in the United States were treated for unintentional burns, and 3,028 died from fire and smoke inhalation, according to a Facebook post from Benton County Fire District 4.
According to Children's Health, parents and guardians can take steps to lower the risk of burn injuries.
- Store pots and pans behind the stove and out of reach.
- Please set the water heater temperature below 120 degrees.
- Always use sunscreen to avoid sunburn.
- Store hot curling irons on the wall or in ceramic jars.
- Keep electrical cords and heaters out of the reach of children.
If a child is accidentally burned, it is important to determine the severity of the burn.
a first degree burns It affects only the top layer of the skin and is red and painful.
a second degree burns Blisters form as the outer and lower layers of the skin burn.
a third degree burns It damages multiple layers of the skin, causing it to appear white or burnt. These burns affect the nerve endings and the child loses sensation in the area.
Children's Health says you should take your child to the hospital if the injury is from electrical burns or if the skin looks scorched, leathery, or burnt off. Bring your child if there is no feeling on the skin, if the area of the blister or swollen burn is larger than your child's hand, or if the burn is on the hands, feet, face, genitals, or joints.
For more information on how to prevent or treat burns, visit: Children's health tips and advice.
