BURNS

It’s important to be able to recognize the 3 different stages of burns – you may need to help treat yourself or family members in the case of burns.

How to Identify and Treat the 3 Types of Burns:

What does a first degree burn look like? – The skin is red, similar to a sunburn. The burn will be dry and without blisters. There may be some swelling and the person will experience tenderness and some pain.

How to treat – Run under cool water for 5-10 minutes. If necessary, you may apply a burn ointment after cooling the burn.

Causes – Scalding water, sunburn, or flash flames.

What does a second degree burn look like? – Bright red or pink skin that has moist blisters. More intense pain.

How to treat – Don’t apply gels or ointments. Apply a sterile dressing. If the burn is over 1% of the body, or the victim is under 2 years old, see a doctor. Seek emergency care if the burn is on the hands, face, feet or genitalia or if the burn covers over 15% of an adult’s body or 10% of a child’s’ body. Do not pop the blisters!

Causes – Chemicals, flash flames, extremely hot liquids or solids.

What does a third degree burn look like? – Third degree burns can vary in their appearance. They can appear white or bright red on the outer edge to charred, dry, and mahogany colored. There is less initial pain due to more nerve damage. The area around the burn that does not have nerve damage will be painful.

Treatment – It is critical to call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately! Apply a sterile dressing and a cold wet washcloth until emergency help arrives.

Causes – Flames, chemicals, electrical, or hot solids or liquids. 

FIRE SAFETY

In just 30 seconds, a small flame can become a raging fire. It only takes 5-10 minutes for the flames to take over the entire house. Keep your family safe by working with your parents to develop a fire safety plan. Using simple preventative measures, your family can increase their chance of avoiding, or escaping a fire.

House numbers:
Make sure the numbers on your house are visible for firefighters to see at night and from a distance. The minutes that a firefighter wastes searching for your house can make a difference between life and death.

Fire Extinguishers:
Put at least one fully charged and working fire extinguisher in your house. Locate it in a central area.

Home Fire Escape Plan:Plan ahead to keep your family safe. Work with your entire family to create a home fire escape plan. Mark doors, windows, stairs, smoke alarms, fire extinguishers and escape ladder locations on your map. Select an outside location away from your house, which you can use as a safe meeting spot for the family.

Smoke Alarms:
Smoke alarms can alert your family to a fire even before you can feel heat or see flames. This gives you the extra minutes that could make a difference between escaping the fire and being caught inside. Check the batteries and test your smoke alarms frequently.

Residential Sprinklers:
Talk to your parents about installing sprinklers in your house. They don’t replace your smoke detectors, as they are activated by heat and not smoke. However, if sprinklers are used during a house fire, your damage costs will be 90% less.

Share this Home Fire Safety Checklist with your parents. Take charge of fire safety by proactively keeping your home and family safe!

Home Checklist