Radio PSA’s

30sec — Burn Prevention:

Burns are among the most painful and disfiguring injuries a person can sustain and survive. The YOUR FIRE DEPARTMENT reminds you that young children are at especially high risk for burns. The skin is thinner, wounds go deeper, and in seconds, a child can sustain a lifelong physical and emotional injury. Teach children about burn hazards and how to protect themselves. Call your fire department for help and information.

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This year, 5,000 people in Minnesota will visit emergency rooms because of serious burns. I’m Chief/Fire Marshal John Smith of the YOUR FIRE DEPARTMENT and I can help you avoid that trip. Create a safety zonearound your stove. Learn to use candles safely. Identify the burn hazards in your home and teach your family to avoid them. To learn how, call your fire department. We’ll show you how to keep from getting burned.

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Speaking points for radio shows

Kitchen Precautions

  • Stay in the kitchen while you’recooking.
  • Keep flammable items, including potholders and towels, away from the cooking area.
  • Wear snug-fitting or short sleeves when cooking; use elastic bands to hold sleeves back.
  • Use back burners when possible. Keep pot handles turned to the inside so they don’t stick out over the front of the stove. A curious child might grab or tip the pot over onto them.
  • Keep appliance cords kept away from counter edges to prevent a child from pulling appliances off counter-tops and onto them.
  • Use spill-resistant mugs for hot beverages.
  • When toddlers are around, remove tablecloths and place mats so children don’t pull on them and spill a hot or heavy item.
  • Create a 5-foot "no zone" or "safe zone" for children around the stove. Children must stay outside of this zone.
  • Show children how to open a popcorn bag without letting steam burn their eyes or skin.
  • Teach children that microwaved plates may be cool, but the food may be scalding.

Other Precautions

  • Test bath water before putting your child into the bathtub. Set your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or below and always provide supervision.
  • Keep matches lighters, and flammable liquids out of children’s reach.
  • Never use gasoline around a flame source, use in well ventilated areas, and never as a charcoal starter. Fill tanks of lawn mowers and trimmers before starting to use them. If you need to re-fuel before you’re finished with the job, be sure to let the engine cool before refueling.
  • Smoke alarms should be installed on every level and in every sleeping area of your home. Test them once a month and replace batteries at least once a year. Plan and practice an escape plan showing two ways out of each room.

I’ve been burned, now what?

Stop the burning process.

Remove clothing, jewelry and belt buckles from around the burn area; they retain heat andincrease damage to the skin. If material is adherent (stuck) to the skin, cool the area with cool water and seek medical attention. Jewelry and metal such as belt buckles and zippers also need to be removed. Run cool—not cold— water over the burn area for a few minutes.

Continued…

Stop the burning process, continued:

Do not apply ice to the burn. Ice can make a burn worse.

Do not apply creams, ointments or salves.

Do not break any blisters until seen by a physician.

First (redness) and second degree (closed blister) burns smaller than the person’s palm can usually be treated at home. Prevent infection by gently washing several times a day with mild antibacterial soap. Rinse thoroughly. Cover open areas with a clean, loose dressing. Consult with your family physician or local burn center if the burn does not heal in two to three days or if signs of infection appear.

For larger burns (bigger than the person’s palm), chemical or electrical burns, or a burn that involves the face, airway, hands, feet or genital area call 911 or your local emergency number.