Due to the cold weather and the June holidays, June is a good month for burns. Learn how to prevent and what to do in case of accidents
With the cold and the June holidays, June is the month when most people adopt habits and hobbies to stay warm. This includes lighting bonfires, lighting stoves and fireplaces, or preparing hot meals in the kitchen. However, what would protect you from the cold could actually increase the risk of serious burns.
According to the Ministry of Health, one million burns occur each year in Brazil. Between 2015 and 2020, there were 19,772 deaths. Of these, 53.3% were thermal burns, caused by heat sources, and 46.1% were electrical burns, when an electric current passes through the body, generating heat. Fireworks burns increased by 36% between 2021 and 2023.
“Of the one million burns that occur each year, 70% are the result of accidents in the home. Overheated liquids are the main culprits, with a focus on the most common: water. Therefore, prevention work is essential, especially in winter,” says Elaine Godoy, stoma nurse and Latam clinical coordinator at Mölnlycke, a leading Swedish wound care company.
5 Tips to Prevent Burns
The specialist provides some advice to prevent burns in the most common situations. Watch:
1. Pay attention to children in the kitchen: In the last decade, more than three thousand children between the ages of 0 and 14 have died due to burns. Additionally, nearly 221,000 were hospitalized. Burns are the fourth leading cause of death among children in Brazil.
The kitchen is a place with many risks for little ones and the safest thing is to keep them in other rooms while you prepare food on the stove or in the oven. Furthermore, it is important to keep the handles of the pans inside the stove, preferably use the rear burners of the appliance and do not handle hot liquids near children.
2. Other precautions in the kitchen: It is important to be very careful when cooking. You should not cook with alcohol or fuels, you should be careful not to spill water on the hot oil and every time you finish preparing the food, be sure to turn off the burners on the stove and/or oven.
For those who use a gas cylinder, it is essential to place the device away from direct heat sources and always in a vertical position. Also, make sure to always close the valve before going to sleep or leaving the house.
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3. Electrical care: When it comes to electricity, the first step is to make sure your home’s electrical network is up to date, to avoid malfunctions. Other important tips are: do not connect multiple electronic devices to the same socket and avoid using devices, such as your cell phone, while they are charging.
4. Fireworks: Fireworks pose risks even before use, so storing them near children is not recommended. They can cause serious injuries and should not be handled in places frequented by children. Furthermore, they must be released into open environments. Always remember to carefully read the instructions on the product label before use.
5. Flammable products: Make sure that chemicals and flammable products such as matches, candles, cleaning products and alcohol are stored out of the reach of children and animals.
What to do in case of burns
In case of accidents, the ideal is to wet the wound with running water at room temperature. Never apply substances such as ointments, butter or toothpaste to the area.
Furthermore, request medical assistance as quickly as possible via the following contacts: Samu, telephone 192 and fire brigade, telephone 193.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
