With holidays just around the corner, there’s nothing that many of us don’t look forward to more than holiday decorations and home-cooked meals.
Remember that this time also comes with an increase in accidents, including fires and burn injuries. Here, we offer ways to ensure that your holidays are free of accidents and disasters.
Common Burn Injuries During the Holidays
Burn injuries can be broken down into a few different categories, depending on what exactly caused the burn:
- Fire Burns. These most likely occur in the kitchen while cooking. If something catches fire, you may think it’s small enough to put it out real quick with your hands. These can also occur by shifting firewood or lighting a candle.
- Electrical Burns. These can occur when you are hanging lights on a Christmas tree or plugging your lights into a faulty outlet or one that is slightly wet
- Heat Burns. Most of these burns happen in the kitchen while cooking, such as touching extremely hot metal or glassware or a stovetop
- Liquid Burns. These burns can occur if boiling liquid comes into contact with your skin, such as water or oil from cooking or even an extremely hot beverage.
Ways to Prevent Burns
One of the best ways to prevent burns is to stay attentive and eliminate any chance of an accidental fire. To help prevent fires and burns, it’s recommended that you:
Stay Attentive While Cooking.
It’s easy to get wrapped up in the holiday moment, especially when family and friends are around. However, don’t forget that accidents can happen and fires can start in a matter of seconds. Pay attention to the timer and never leave the room if you have an open flame in the kitchen.
Keep Flammable Items Away From the Stovetop.
Don’t overdo the kitchen decorations. The National Fire Protection Association reports that about 40% of decoration fires occur because decorations and flammable items are kept too close to a heat source. Keep decorations and other flammable objects, such as paper towels or plates, away from open flames and other heat sources.
Don’t Overload Cords and Outlets.
Be careful with how many cords you are using for holiday lights. It’s estimated that there are about 4,000 injuries treated in the emergency room each year due to extension cords. Overloading one can blow a fuse and increase the risk of a burn.
Keep a First Aid Kit and Fire Extinguisher Nearby.
In case of an unexpected fire or burn injury, you should always be prepared in emergency situations. Keep a first aid kit on hand to treat minor burns or other injuries immediately.
If you or a loved one sustains a burn injury, make sure to treat it right. Depending on the severity of the burn, you may require medical attention so that it does not further damage your skin or cause scarring.
If the injury was caused due to another person’s negligence, make sure to seek the help of an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you sort through your options moving forward.
