Burn Awareness, Prevention and Your Family’s Safety
The first week of February is Burn Awareness Week and the goal is to educate people on how they can protect themselves and their family from burns and scalds. A burn can occur just about anywhere, at any time. the dangers are everywhere but by being aware of them, you can take the steps necessary to protect yourself and your loved ones. Here is a good place to start in the fight against burns and scalds.
First and foremost it is important to know that electricity is dangerous. Electrical burns can result when a person touches electrical wiring or equipment that is used or maintained improperly. Typically, such burns occur on the hands. Electrical burns are one of the most serious injuries you can receive. They need to be given immediate attention. Additionally, clothing may catch fire and a thermal burn may result from the heat of the fire. Electrical burns do not always show on the skin and when they do they often appear minor. However, damage can extend deep into the tissues and organs beneath your skin. Other more severe injuries can also occur from electricity and should be treated immediately.
Scalds are another major concern when it comes to burn awareness. In the home, scalds are more likely to occur in the kitchen or bathroom. But there are a few precautions you can take to help prevent scalds. The first step is to ensure that your water heater is set at a safe level. Most water heaters allow you to set the temperature but have a manufacture default water heating setting. It is best to set the temperature yourself and ensure that it’s not hotter than 115-120 degrees F. By lowering the water temperature settings, you’ll reduce the risk of scalding water burns. If you’re not sure how to set your water heater temperature our professional plumbers will be happy to help! And be sure to ask about an Anti-Scald Device for added safety!
There are other steps you can take to protect yourself from scalds in the kitchen. Allow food and beverages time to cool before consuming. Use caution when removing items from the microwave. Also use oven mitts when removing items from the stove or oven. And avoid putting your face or other body parts over a steaming pot.
If you have any plumbing, heating, cooling or electrical needs, simply call us at:
(618) 765-8218
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