Shriners Hospitals for Children Offers Burn-prevention Tips
SPRINGFIELD — Shriners Hospitals for Children is reminding families about a potential fire hazard that could be present in homes during the post-holiday season. House fires and burn injuries increase significantly during the winter months due to more holiday cooking, decorations, and open flames.
January poses a particular risk since Christmas trees are at their driest and can ignite in just seconds, according to the National Fire Protection Agency. Shriners Hospitals for Children is reminding the public to discard dry trees now, to prevent potential home fires and deaths.
Shriners Hospitals for Children provides specialized care to children with burns, orthopaedic conditions, spinal-cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate, regardless of families’ ability to pay. In an effort to prevent injuries and deaths, Shriners Hospitals created a “Be Burn Aware” public service announcement featuring dramatic footage of a dry Christmas tree igniting in just seven seconds.
“Our patients and families know Shriners Hospitals takes the role of caring for kids very seriously and that care goes beyond the walls of our hospitals,” said Bernadette White, director of Public Relations at Shriners Hospitals for Children – Springfield. “We want to remind everyone that it’s time to remove their dry Christmas trees from their homes, to help prevent a tragedy for your family. Programs like Be Burn Aware let us reach into the community to help keep kids safe.”
Shriners Hospitals for Children offers these simple reminders for year-round burn prevention:
• Place electrical covers on all outlets, especially when young children are in the home.
• Do not overload electrical outlets.
• Never leave lit candles unattended.
• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so children cannot reach them.
• Never leave a hot stove or oven unattended.
• Keep a lid or cookie sheet nearby to cover a pan if it catches on fire.
For more burn and fire-safety information, including educational materials for the entire family, visit beburnaware.org.