PRESS RELEASE - FOR RELEASE: Feb. 6, 2021

RE: Burn Awareness Week

Contact: Mike Lowe, Delaware State Fire School

“Electrical Safety from Amps to Zap” the theme of Burn Awareness Week 2021

Burn Injuries continue to be one of the leading causes of accidental death and injury in our nation. Tragically, children, the elderly, and the disabled are especially vulnerable to burn injuries. Almost one- third of all burn injuries occur in children under the age of 15.

Annually, approximately 400,000 people receive medical care for treatment of burn injuries. In 2018 alone, there were 3,655 deaths from fire and smoke inhalation and another 40,000 people were treated in hospitals for burn related injuries.

Compared to the overall population, children under five were 2.0 times as likely to be seen for burn injuries at a hospital emergency department.

Primary causes of injury include fire-flame, scalds, contact with hot objects, electrical and chemicals. Most of the injuries occur in the home.

Today, 96.8% of those who suffer burn injuries will survive. Unfortunately, many of those survivors will sustain serious scarring, life-long physical disabilities, and adjustment difficulties.

National Burn Awareness Week will be Feb 7th through the 13th, and is an initiative of the American Burn Association, is a coming together of burn, fire and life safety educators to make the public aware of the frequency, devastation and causes of burn injury as well as measures to prevent these injuries and how to best care for those that are injured.

The theme for 2021 National Burn Awareness Week is “Electrical Safety from Amps to Zap!”, where a common risk of injury exists from unprotected electrical outlets, improperly used extension cords, lightning, and workplace electrical injuries.

Significant research and medical advances have dramatically improved burn care and treatment, aided rehabilitation, shortened hospital stays, and increased burn survival rates. Aftercare support for the physical and emotional effects of burns has also played a key role in the successful reintegration of burn survivors into our communities. Furthermore, burn safety education and prevention efforts continue to reduce the number of people who suffer burns each year. Many people devote their lives and careers to treating, caring for, supporting and rehabilitating burn injury survivors, including those performing vital work in burn research and development. There are dedicated fire fighters who risk their own lives every day to protect others, as well as burn foundations and other life safety professionals who promote burn injury awareness and prevention. For more information contact the Delaware State Fire School or visit http://www.ameriburn.org