Hospitals Acoce Glniteirernm a N Prevent Gasoline-Related Burns During Burn Awareness Week, February 1-7, 2004 (NAPSA)—During Burn Awareness Week 2004, February 1-7, the —membersofthe fraternal organization that operates 22 Hospitals for Children throughout North America— want people to take the necessary steps to prevent flammable liquid and gasoline-related burns. “The greatest tragedy is that most burn injuries are preventable,” says M. Burton Oien, President and CEO of the wash yourself and removeclothing immediately. Do not store gasoline in your of North America. “Every year get involved in Burn Awareness Weekto help people prevent dangerous burns. This year we hope to decrease the number of flammable liquid and gasoline-related burns.” Nine-year-old Jordan Hill knowsfirsthand how dangerous gasoline burns can be. He was playing with friends nearthetool shed in his Ohio backyard. A lighter, a piece of paper and fumes from a gasoline can started the inferno. Jordan received burns on over 57 percent of his body and spent more than two months at the Cincinnati burn hospital. These days he lives a normal life. For that, Jordan’s father, Bob Hill, is thankful to the . “They made us feel like family,” says Hill. “Thanks to the care at the Hospital, Jordan’s burns have not slowed him down.” Hospitals offer the following tips to prevent gasolinerelated burns: Keep flammable products, With a little help from his father, Bob Hill, ’ burn patient Jordan Hill arrives home from the hospital with a smile. matches and lighters locked up and out of the reach of children. Teach children about the dangers of flammable products and vapors. Store and use flammable liquids only in approved containers and in well-ventilated areas, away from all sources of ignition, including: hot engines, cigarette lighters or matches, pilot lights on gas appliances, electrical heaters, electrical switches andstatic electricity. Supervise older children/ teenagers when filling engines such as lawnmowers with gasoline. Allow an engineto cool before adding more gasoline. Always fuel power mowers and other equipment outside where there is adequate ventilation. In case of accidental spills, basement or other living areas in the home; store only a minimal amount or none at all when gasoline is not needed for several weeks. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to elevate the water heater at least 18 inches above the floor level. Known as the experts in pediatric burn care, 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 first 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 Hospitals provide care totally without charge to children up to their 18th birthday. The of North America, an international fraternity with approximately 485,000 members in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Republic of Panama, founded the hospital system. The offer a booklet on burn prevention free of charge. For your copy of “Burn Prevention Tips,” write to the Public Relations Department, International Headquarters, P.O. Box 31356, Tampa, FL 33631-3356, or visit the and Hospitals’ Website at www.shrinershq.org. wenn enone nn nnn nn ene eee eee eee OT a on ee Note to Editors: This article is appropriate for publication during Burn Awareness Week, February 1-7, 2004.
