Knowing how to prevent common injuries, such as burns, that occur at home is crucial. According to Freedman Law, most burn injuries occur using everyday household appliances. These injuries can be incredibly painful, causing blistering and swelling. This article explores what to do in the event of a burn injury and how to prevent an accident from occurring in the first place.
Two of the most common types of injuries are thermal burns and electrical burns. Follow the safety tips below to avoid an injury.
Preventing Thermal Burns
Thermal burns result from contact with a hot liquid or flame and can be prevented in the following ways:
- When cooking, always use an oven mitt when touching hot food.
- Never leave your cooking unattended.
- Keep pots and pans on the back burner.
- Avoid wearing long sleeves when cooking.
- Monitor children in the kitchen and place hot food away from their reach.
- For hot drinks, use a travel mug with a tight lid to prevent burns.
- To prevent grease build-up, clean your oven, kitchen counters, and stove.
- Use a pan lid to avoid grease splatter when cooking.
- If food catches on fire, make sure to cover it right away to smother the flame. Cover it with a lid or baking sheet. Leave it covered until the fire is out.
Preventing Electrical Burns
Electrical burns result from using electrical appliances.
- When disconnecting appliances, pull on the plug itself, not its cord.
- Turn off all appliances before you leave a room.
- If using an extension cord or outlet, don’t plug too many appliances into the power source.
- Never touch a fork or knife into a plugged-in appliance.
- Replace frayed electrical cables as soon as possible.
For more tips on preventing burn injuries, read here.
What to Do In the Event of a Burn Injury
In the event of a burn injury, have an action plan. If you have a first-degree burn, running cool water over the burn for several minutes can be effective at reducing pain and the severity of the burn. Aloe vera or ointment can be used as a topical treatment, and band-aids can be placed over the burn to prevent it from getting infected. For more serious burns, however, seek medical attention immediately.
According to the Mayo Clinic, this is how to know when a burn becomes an emergency:
- If a burn is deep and penetrates all layers of the skin
- If the size of the burn is larger than 3 inches in diameter
- If it covers the hands, feet, buttocks,, groin, face, or encircles an arm or leg or a major joint
- If it comes with symptoms such as shallow breathing, clammy skin, and a weak pulse,
Several home remedies for burns can make them worse. Make sure not to rub or use ice on a burn. It can delay healing and increase blistering.
Always be mindful when cooking or using electrical appliances. It can make all the difference between avoiding a serious injury.
