Burn Awareness Week February 2nd-8th, 2020
National Burn Awareness Week, observed the first full week in February, is a window of opportunity for organizations to mobilize burn, fire and life safety educators to unite in sharing a common burn awareness and prevention message in our communities. The 2020 Burn Awareness Week dates are February 2-8, 2020. The 2020 theme is Contact Burns.
PAVEMENT BURNS
“It’s so hot, you can cook an egg on the sidewalk!” This is not just a saying; it can be the truth! Don’t
be fooled, even when asphalt seems cool, it can reach high temperatures quickly.
Even on cooler days, be aware of the temperature that the ground can reach so you don’t get burned.
When it is 77° F, the asphalt can reach a temperature of 125° F.
If you wouldn’t walk on hot asphalt, why would you make your pets? Take precautions before taking
your furry friends on a walk and be sure to protect them from the hot asphalt.
HAIR APPLIANCE TOOLS/HOT OBJECT BURNS
Children will grab anything that they can get their hands on. Keep hot objects away from counter
edges and out of the reach of children.
Did you leave your curling iron plugged in? Make sure to have a conversation with your children
about never grabbing hair appliances that may still be hot after use, even when it is not plugged in
anymore.
Always make sure that you teach your children to not grab objects that can be hot. Going through a
lesson of what is hot and what is not is a great way to start a conversation that can lead to saving
them from a preventable burn injury.
Help make childhood burn injuries disappear! Teach your children to not play with hot things and to
always ask permission before grabbing cups or other items that may be hot.
FIREPLACE BURNS
Gas fireplace glass doors can reach excessive temperatures (1,300ºF / 704ºC). Serious burn injuries
from the hot glass can happen in less than 1 second. Use safety gates, install screen barriers, and
supervise toddlers and young children around fireplaces!
Glass fireplace doors remain hot for 1 hour+ after use. Make sure fireplace on switches and remote
controls are out of the reach of children.
Keep anything that can burn, children, and pets at least 3 feet from a fireplace.
HOT APPLIANCE/COOKING BURNS
Always use oven mitts or potholders to remove hot items form the stove or microwave.
Use the back burners of the stove to prevent children from reaching up and touching hot pots and
pans.
If you are overly tired, have consumed alcohol or medication, do not use the stove or stovetop!
After cooking, check the kitchen to make sure all burners and other appliances are turned off.
