In line with National Burns Awareness Day on 17 October, we want to raise awareness of burn prevention and burn-related first aid.
As well as the physical and emotional impact a burn injury has, the cost to the health service is huge. Exclusive data shows the NHS burns services treated more than 15,000 patients for burns and scalds in 2017 at a cost of more than £20 million.
'The Children’s Burns Trust', whose work is focused on children and their families, have highlighted that a significant proportion of burns and scalds are among children under the age of 5 where the most common cause of injury is from hot liquids, such as tea and coffee spills. Accidents like these are entirely preventable.
Some alarming facts and figures that are happening every day: (source: International Burn Injury Database (iBID) 2017/18)
- Hot drinks are the most common cause of scald injury in children – followed by contact with electric cookers, irons and hair straighteners
- 625 children a month require admission to an NHS Burns Service following a burn or scald injury. This figure only relates to the more serious injuries - it does not include the thousands seen by A&E departments (2017 figures)
- 289 children a month require admission to an NHS Burns Service following injury with hot liquids, mainly tea and coffee spills. This figure only relates to the more serious scalds - it does not include the thousands seen by A&E departments (2017 figures)
- Sunburn is a notable cause of injury in the 5 – 14 year age group, alongside seasonal activities such as fireworks and bonfires.
The two leading organisations in burn prevention and support hope that by drawing attention to the cost of burn injuries to the NHS, that more people will understand the importance of burn prevention and good first aid, which are vital in reducing the number of injuries – as well as the pressure on NHS burns services.
• The average cost to the NHS for a major burn is £95,000
• 4,867 children under the age of 5 were so badly burnt that they had to be admitted to an NHS specialist burns service in 2017 – more than 13 toddlers every single day
• Irons and Hair Straighteners take longer than you think to cool down – more than 667 children (0 –14 years) in 2017 were treated for severe burns from them
The most common place of injury is the home for children and the elderly, for adults it’s the workplace. The advice below shows what to do if a person's clothing sets on fire.
Do:
- Install smoke alarms on each floor and test regularly
- Keep hot drinks out of reach of babies and young children
- Make and practice Fire Escape Plans with the whole family
- Run COLD water first in the bath or sink before adding hot water – test the temperature
- Install thermostatic mixing valves in all hot water outlets
- Keep saucepans at the back of the stove NOT near the front – turn handles to the back
- Keep kettles, irons, hair straighteners or wires out of reach
- Keep secure fire screens in front of open fires, heaters & radiators
- Store matches and lighters out of reach
- Store chemicals, cleaners and acids out of reach
Don’t:
- Drink hot drinks whilst nursing/holding a baby or child
- Put a baby or child into a bath or sink until the water has been tested
- Warm baby bottles in the microwaves
- Leave hair straighteners unattended
- Allow children near BBQs or garden chemicals
- Allow children near fireworks
- Leave children unattended in the kitchen or near fires and heaters
All statistics provided by the International Burn Injury Database iBID
COMPETITION TIME!
With Halloween just around the corner, we've teamed up with the lovely people at Mothercare to offer you the chance to win two of their fabulous Halloween outfits (aged 12-18 months). Your little one is sure to look frightfully fancy in either this cute pumpkin or cat outfit!
Visit our Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages to enter.
Click here for competition Terms and Conditions.
Click here to buy Mini First Aid burn gel and other Mini First Aid items in our shop.
