National Burn Awareness Week promotes electrical safety

SAN DIEGO – Burns from electrical accidents are one of the primary causes of burn related injury along with fire-flame, scalds, contact with hot objects and chemicals. More than 73% of these burn injuries occur at home.

As the pandemic continues to alter the way people live, many people in the communities are spending more time at home which can increase the risk of these electrical burns. Vulnerable populations such as children under five are two times as likely to be seen at a hospital emergency department for burn injuries.

In conjunction with Burn Awareness Week, Feb. 7-13, the American Burn Association and the Burn Institute are providing information relating to electrical safety for the community.

Burn injuries may result in lifelong scarring and in some extreme cases, even death. Many burn survivors sustain serious scarring, life-long physical disabilities, trauma and adjustment difficulties. Prevention of electrical burns is always preferable to treatment and can be accomplished through simple changes in behavior and small adjustments in the home environment.

Each year, over 400,000 injuries occur in the United States due to severe skin burns, with young children, older adults and disabled individuals most at-risk. Common risk of electrical burn and injury include unprotected electrical outlets, improperly used extension cords, lightning and workplace electrical injuries.

Electrical burn can be reduced by following home safety guidelines.

Disconnect appliances by pulling on the plug, not the cord.

If an appliance has a three-prong plug, use it only in a three-slot outlet. Never force it or remove a prong to make it fit a two-slot outlet.

Check electrical tools regularly for signs of wear. If a cord is frayed or cracked, replace it. Replace any tool if it causes even small electrical shocks, overheats, shorts out or gives off smoke or sparks.

Never use electrical appliances near water.

Before attempting any appliance repair, unplug it.

Attach extension cords to appliances before outlets.

Keep clothes, curtains and other potentially combustible items at least 3 feet away from all heaters, whether electric, gas or kerosene-fueled.

If an electric power line is down on or near your home, keep everyone out of the area and call 911 or the local electric utility.

The American Burn Association also provides guidelines for parents to help further reduce the risk of electrical burns for young children.

Don’t allow children to play with or near and keep them away from electrical appliances

such as space heaters, irons and hair dryers.

Use plug covers on any electrical outlets accessible to small children. Outlet caps that

attach to the outlet plate with screws give better protection than those that plug in.

Make sure plug-in caps are a similar color to the outlet.

Make sure such caps are not big enough to be a choking hazard.

Make sure any night lights used in a child’s room do not resemble toys.

Teach children to respect electricity as soon as they are old enough, usually about age

3.

Two-thirds of electrical burn injuries occur to children aged 12 and under.

Submitted by The Burn Institute.