National Burn Awareness Week Is February 2-8

Each year, the American Burn Association (ABA) sponsors a weeklong awareness campaign with the primary goal of preventing avoidable burn injuries in Americans. This year’s National Burn Awareness Week, which runs from February 2^nd to the 8^th, focuses on the theme of reducing burn risks in the home. To prepare for next month’s National Burn Awareness Week, let’s review some important steps you can take to prevent burn injuries from occurring in your home.

General Info on Burns: Types and Statistics

Some of the most common burn and fire-related injuries that people sustain include first-, second-, and third-degree burns. First-degree burns are the most common and also the most minor type of burn, affecting only the outer layer of the skin (epidermis) and usually healing without medical intervention in just a few days. Second-degree burns, or partial thickness burns, affect the outer layer and part of the dermis, or second layer, of the skin. With proper medical care, second-degree burns typically heal within a few weeks, though they can result in permanent scarring. Third-degree burns, or full thickness burns, completely destroy both the epidermis and dermis.

While third-degree burns are often regarded as the most serious type of burn, there are other types of burns as well. There are also fourth-degree burns, or burns that destroy not only the outer and second layers of skin, but also deeper tissues underneath, like the fat, muscle, and bone. People undergoing certain medical treatments or with occupational exposure may sustain radiation burns. Lastly, some burn victims experience burns caused by chemicals, acids, or bases; these are called chemical burns.

According to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were nearly 400,000 fire or burn-related injuries in 2021. That same year, there were also an additional 252,000 injuries associated with hot objects or substances. Here are some additional key findings on burn and fire injuries, this time from the American Burn Association:

• On average, there is one fire-related death every 2 hours and 17 minutes.
• In 2021, there were 3,800 fire and smoke inhalation fatalities. Of these deaths, 3,010 resulted from structure fires. The remaining fatalities were the result of motor vehicle fires.
• There are approximately 29,165 hospital burn admissions across the country each year.

Preventing Fires and Burns at Home

The ABA recommends that everyone follows their year-round checklist to best keep their home, loved ones, and community safe. Here are some examples from the organization’s fire and burn safety checklist that you and your loved ones should be sure to follow:

• Regularly test smoke alarms and replace batteries. Make sure that your smoke alarms are installed properly, working properly, and that everyone in the home knows the sound an alert makes.
• Check and learn how to use your fire extinguisher. Make sure that your fire extinguisher is easily accessible and that everyone in the home knows how to use it.
• Review and practice your fire escape plan. Make sure you know multiple routes to exit your residence and practice your escape plan regularly with everyone in your home.
• Commit to cooking and kitchen safety! Never leave cooking food unattended; use timers, keep handles turned inwards, and always stay close while cooking. Do not let children within three feet of any cooking surface and always supervise them.
• Clear flammable materials away from heat sources; move any items that could catch fire away from stoves, space heaters, candles, and electrical outlets.
• Inspect electrical cords and outlets. Make sure cords are undamaged and do not overload outlets.
• Check heating devices for safety. Be sure to regularly inspect space heaters and to keep them away from flammable items like fabrics and paper
• Take precautions in the bathroom to prevent burns. Set your water heater below 120 degrees Fahrenheit and provide constant supervision to children in the bath.
• Before going to bed, extinguish all candles. Never leave a candle burning in a room unattended.
• Participate in fire safety events. Join your local community in fire safety drills and education. Not only can these events be fun outings for you and your loved ones, but they are also a great way to stay prepared in case an emergency happens!

What to Do if You Sustain a Burn Injury

According to the ABA, there are certain steps you should follow if someone sustains a burn injury. First, extinguish any flames on the person’s clothing and, if possible, remove the victim from the flame source. Call 9-1-1 and then cool the burn with cool – not cold – water to stop the burning process. While you are waiting for help to arrive, if the injury site is free from clothing or fabric (do not remove these on your own), you can apply a clean, dry bandage to the area.

Depending on what the cause is behind your injury, it may be a good idea to speak with a lawyer about filing a legal claim. For example, if you sustained a burn injury at work or because of a dangerous or defective product, it is a good idea to speak with a legal professional who can fight on your behalf to recover damages. At Galfand Berger, our attorneys have decades of experience representing injured victims. Here are just a few examples of our firm’s previous recoveries on behalf of burn victims and their loved ones:

• Rick Jurewicz recovered $36 Million for victims of a fatal workplace explosion. Read more here: https://www.galfandberger.com/verdicts/products-liability/36-million-recovery-fatal-workplace-explosion/.
• The family of a maintenance worker and his co-worker share in the recovery of a $10.65 million settlement paid by four different companies in an accident at an automotive battery company that left one man dead and the other severely burnt in both of his thigh areas. To read more about the specifics of this settlement, visit: https://www.galfandberger.com/2024/01/25/february-4-10th-is-national-burn-awareness-week/.
• We recovered $4.25 million for two steelworkers who were severely injured after molten metal poured from a defective furnace. You can read more about this recovery at: https://www.galfandberger.com/verdicts/products-liability/steelworkers-burned-defective-furnace/.

To learn more about filing a claim for your injuries, contact a representative online who can help.

Personal Injury Lawyers at Galfand Berger, LLP, Representing Injured Victims Since 1947

Contact the Philadelphia personal injury attorneys at Galfand Berger LLP today. Call us at 800-222-USWA (8792) or fill out our online form for a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Lancaster, and Reading, we serve clients throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including Allentown and Harrisburg.