National Burn Awareness Week is Feb. 1st thru 7th. The American Burn Association, the Delaware State Fire School and your local Fire Department wants to remind the public that scald injuries affect all ages. Young children and the elderly are most vulnerable. This is why we want to provide you with information on scald injury prevention.
Annually in the United States and Canada, over 500,000 people receive medical treatment for
burn injuries. Roughly half of these injuries are scalds. Most burns occur in the home, usually in the kitchen or bathroom.
Scalds can be prevented through increased awareness of scald hazards and by making simple
environmental or behavioral changes. These include providing a “kid-safe” zone while
preparing and serving hot foods and beverages. Open microwave foods away from your face and allow for cooling before eating. Lowering the water heater thermostat to
deliver water at a temperature not to exceed 120 degrees. Never but a child into bathwater that has not been tested to be the proper temperature.
For more information about preventing scalds, contact Delaware State Fire School, 302-856-5901