For Immediate Release

Friday, Feb. 1, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Canton Fire Chief Reminds Residents of Burn Safety Tips Ahead of National Burn Awareness Week

National Burn Awareness Week is Feb. 3-9

CANTON — Chief Charles E. Doody would like to remind Canton residents of some safety tips and precautions as Sunday begins National Burn Awareness Week.

“Next week is meant to serve as a reminder for people to use caution when it comes to dealing with open flames, hot surfaces and hot liquids,” Chief Doody said. “Please take the time to teach your young children about the dangers that burns can pose and refresh yourself on the different ways to keep safe and prevent burns.”

Each year, the American Burn Association develops educational resources for National Burn Week, which can be found on their website.

Chief Doody would like to offer the following tips and information from the Massachusetts State Fire Marshal’s office:

Prevent Burns

• Lock up dangerous items and keep them out of the reach of children
• Do not wear lose clothing near burners or open flames
• Turn pot and pan handles toward the back of the stove
• Keep children away from stoves, outdoor grills, campfires and fireplaces
• Keep hot liquids out of reach of children
• Do not let appliance cords dangle where kids can reach them
• Always turn off an iron, hair straightener or other appliances that get hot when they are unattended
• Never use gasoline to start a fire and use starter fluid with care
• Never smoke in bed or a place where you may fall asleep

Hot Fluids Burn Like Fire

• Hot fluids are the cause of 88% of the total burns among children under age 5
• Of all victims burned by hot beverages, 82% were children under age 5
• Keep hot drinks and soups in the middle of a table and away from the reach of babies and young children
• Consider replacing tablecloths with place mats to prevent children from pulling everything on the table onto themselves
• Always supervise young children in the bath and face them away from faucets. Babies and toddlers like playing with knobs and handles
• Establish and enforce a NO Zone around the stove. Do not let children play near the stove or barbecue

First Aid for Burns

• Stop, drop and roll if you or your clothing are on fire
• Remove burn victims from the immediate area of danger
• Call 911 immediately if someone has suffered a burn injury
• Cool the burn area with cool water and continuously flush burns from chemicals
• Never put grease, butter or ointment on a burn
• Do not remove clothing from a burn
• Cover a burn with a sheet or towel

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