Learn More About National Burn Awareness Week At The Mehlville Fire Protection District

February 1-7 is National Burn Awareness Week, and the perfect time for Mehlville Fire Protection District to educate our communities about the dangers of and how to reduce their risk of severe burns. Since burns are one of the most common forms of injuries, it is important to recognize that they can occur just about anywhere, meaning all the residents of our District need to be mindful of their risk no matter where they are.

It’s because of the pervasive nature of burn injuries that the Mehlville Fire Protection District is providing its residents with easy-to-follow tips and guidelines on how to prevent themselves and their loved ones from being burned. Join us throughout the month of February to raise awareness for proper burn safety. Together, let’s make a lasting difference within our community and learn how to protect ourselves and our loved ones from the risk of burns.

There are a wide range of approaches to cut down the risk of burn injuries at home, including, but not limited to:

Keeping everyone in your household safe from burn injuries is as simple as implementing a few precautions into your daily routines, like:

• Practicing safe cooking habits—keep young children at least three feet away from hot cooking surfaces like stoves and ovens, and ensure that all hot fluids and food remain out of reach to prevent the risk of scald burns. 
• Install smoke alarms throughout your home—ensure your household is protected against the risk of fire by installing and maintaining a system of smoke alarms on each level of your home. 
• Practice sun safety—protect your skin by regularly applying sunscreen, wearing protective clothing like long-sleeved shirts or hats, and limiting any prolonged sun exposure so as to greatly reduce the risk of first- to second-degree burns.
• Have a household emergency plan—teach every member of your household what to do in case of an emergency, such as fire, and practice the established plan regularly throughout the year. 

By implementing these preventative measures, families in our community can significantly reduce their risk of experiencing burn injuries and other fire-related emergencies.

If you or a member of your household suffers a burn injury, taking quick action can help to reduce pain levels and promote a faster recovery period. To treat a burn at home, we recommend following these simple steps:

• Move the injured individual away from the source of the burn.
• Cool the affected area with cool running water for several minutes, which will help to stop the burning process and reduce the severity of damage to the area.
• Remove any tight clothing or jewelry that is located near the affected area before the skin begins to swell, but do not remove any clothing or jewelry that is stuck to the skin.
• Loosely cover the affected area with a clean, dry cloth or a non-stick dressing to reduce the risk of infection

We strongly advise against applying ice, butter, oil, or any home remedies to the burned area since it can worsen the injury.

Burns that are large, deep, severely painful, or result in blistering or blackened skin need immediate emergency treatment. A medical professional should always evaluate burns involving the face, hands, feet, joints, or genital area, as these areas are especially vulnerable to complications. Plus, if the burn is caused by exposure to chemicals, electricity, or some kind of explosion, the injured individual should seek the care of a medical professional. Prompt medical care can significantly reduce the risk of infection and long-term injury.

For more information on how to protect yourself and your loved ones from the risk of burns and other fire-related emergencies, please browse through our extensive public safety library.