National Burn Awareness week is February 7th-13th and is designed bring awareness to and help prevent the 4,000 deaths and injuries caused by fire and burns each year. Aprroximately 60,000 poeple are treated in hospitals a year and an additional 25,000 suffer severe enough injuries to be admitted to burn centers.
Just a month ago, two people were burned in a chemical spill in West Ashley after they kicked over a bucket of industrial strength cleaner. One person was taken to the Augusta Burn Center and the other was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Burns can happen by negligence or accident. They can happen in public places and in your home.
If you experience an electrical fire, do not use water, because water conducts electricity. Use a fire extinguisher if available. If one is not available, make sure the power source is off before trying to put out the fire with water. Finally, if you or someone you know suffers an electrical burn, it is comportant that you seek medical treatment immediately, either with your primary care physician or in to Emergency Room.
To read our article about electrical burn and fire prevention, click here.
