Chattanooga, TN – Erlanger and the Chattanooga Fire Department are teaming up to raise awareness and prevent burn injuries in the community during National Burn Awareness Week, which runs from February 2-8, 2025. National Burn Awareness Week is an initiative by the American Burn Association, aiming to educate the public about the frequency and severity of burn injuries and offer preventive measures.
This year’s theme, “Burn Prevention Where You Live, Work and Play – Preventing Burns in the Homes,” highlights practical steps that can be taken in everyday settings to reduce burn hazards. The focus is on creating safer environments in kitchens, bathrooms, sleeping areas, and storage spaces. Simple, proactive changes can help prevent potentially life-altering injuries:
– **Kitchen Safety:** Store flammable items away from heat, turn pot handles inward, and never leave cooking food unattended.
– **Bathroom Precautions:** Set your water heater below 120°F and supervise children in the bath.
– **Sleeping Areas:** Extinguish candles before going to sleep and keep heat sources away from fabrics.
– **General Home Safety:** Regularly test smoke alarms, safely charge devices, and store chemicals out of reach.
Burn injuries remain a serious public health concern, with over 398,000 people seeking medical care for burns in the United States in 2021, according to the CDC. Children under five are particularly vulnerable, being twice as likely to experience burn injuries compared to the general population. Most of these injuries occur in the home and can be prevented with the right education and awareness.
“Burn prevention starts with education and small, actionable changes in our daily lives,” said Regena Young, Trauma Outreach and Injury Prevention Coordinator for the Erlanger Health System. “By participating in National Burn Awareness Week, we can work together to reduce burn injuries and create safer communities.”
Throughout the year, everyone can take steps to protect themselves and their families from burn hazards. A simple checklist can help ensure your home is safer:
– **Test Smoke Alarms & Replace Batteries:** Ensure alarms are functioning and everyone in the home knows the sound of an alert.
– **Review & Practice Your Fire Escape Plan:** Familiarize yourself with multiple exit routes and practice your escape plan with your family.
– **Check & Learn to Use Your Fire Extinguisher:** Keep your fire extinguisher easily accessible, and make sure everyone knows how to use it.
– **Clear Flammable Materials Away from Heat Sources:** Keep items that could catch fire away from stoves, space heaters, and electrical outlets.
– **Commit to Kitchen Safety:** Never leave cooking food unattended. Use timers, keep handles turned inward, and stay close when cooking.
– **Inspect Electrical Cords & Outlets:** Make sure cords are undamaged, and never overload outlets.
– **Check Heating Devices for Safety:** Regularly inspect space heaters and keep them away from flammable items like fabrics or paper.
By following these simple steps, everyone can help prevent burn injuries and ensure a safer environment for themselves, their families, and the community.