PE NENUSESSNOMES SHRINERS HOSPITALS Focus ATTENTION ON SCALD BURNS DuRING BURN AWARENESS WEEK, FEBRUARY3 TO 9, 2002 (NAPSA)—During Burn Aware- ness Week 2002, February 3-9, the Shriners—membersof the fraternal organization that operates 22 Shriners Hospitals for Children throughout North America—want people to take precautions against the possibility of children receiving scald burns in the home. “Every single scald burn injury is preventable,” said John D. Vermaas, Chairman of the Board of Shriners Hospitals. “The most effective way to prevent scald burns in the kitchen or bathroom is through adequate and continuous supervision.” Shriners Hospitals offer the following facts about scald burns and tips to help keep children safe in the home: Children under 5 are at the highest risk for burns caused by hot fluids. * Most scald burns happen in the kitchen when fluids spill from the stove or microwave, as well as on or around the kitchen table, counters and sink. Some ways to keep hot fluids away from children are: appropriate supervision, keep children away from “risk areas,” test all foods before feeding a baby, cook on the rear of the stove. The bathroom is the second highest risk area for scald burn injuries in the home. Water heater thermostats should be set at a maximumof 120 F. If it is not possible to reduce the water heater temperature, use of a thermostatically controlled valve/faucet should be considered. The best way to test bath water is to submerge the hand, spread the fingers and move the hand vigorously in the water. If the water feels uncomfortable to the hand, it is too hot for a child. Generally, babies should not be bathed in water above 100 F and young children in water above 104 F. Tepid water is at a temperature low enough that the water feels Most scald burns happen in the kitchen. Always keep children awayfrom risk areas. warm, not cold or hot. This is the best temperature to bathe babies. The skin of young children is thinner than that of adults and thus there is an increased burn risk potential. When the temperature of liquid reaches about 160 F, a child may be burned instantly and no one can respond rapidly enoughto avoid injury. Known as the experts in pediatric burn care, Shriners Hospitals operate four burn hospitals in Galveston, Cincinnati, Boston and Sacramento. Through intensive research and state-of-the-art clini- cal care, a burned child’s chance of survival has more than doubled since the Shrinersfirst opened the burn hospitals in the mid-1960s. Much of today’s research now focuses on improving the quality of life for burn survivors. The 22 Shriners Hospitals provide orthopaedic and burn care totally free of charge to children up to their 18th birthday. Free Booklet The Shriners are offering a booklet on burn prevention free of charge. For your copy of “Burn Prevention Tips,” write to the Public Relations Department, Shriners International Headquarters, PO. Box 31356, Tampa, FL 33631-3356, or visit the Shrine’s Website at www.shrinershq.org. wa nnnnnnn--- nee enn e-- ee eee OTL nae een e ene e ene Note to Editors: Though this article can be run at any time, it is particularly appropriate for publication during National Burn Awareness Week, February 3 to 9, 2002.
