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National Burn Awareness Week: February 1-7


This February, the Black Jack Fire Protection District invites the residents of our community to join us in spreading awareness about the ever-present threat of burns. Teaching every individual who lives, works, and visits the District about the importance of burn prevention is the strongest first line of defense against these common injuries that can occur both at home and beyond. 


As burns rank among the most common injuries at the Black Jack Fire Protection District, we dedicate ourselves to providing our community members with the knowledge necessary to safeguard themselves and their loved ones. If every household throughout the district took advantage of the easy-to-follow tips we’ve outlined below, we could significantly reduce the risk of burns within our community. 


Common Causes of Home Burns


The first step in reducing the risk of burns at home is understanding how and where they can occur. Some of the most frequent causes of burns we’ve seen include:


  • Cooking accidents—getting too close to boiling water, touching a hot item that was either on the stove or fresh out of the oven, and grease fires are all common household causes of burns ranging from moderate to severe.

  • Exposure to hot liquids or steam—too hot bath water and accidentally spilled tea or coffee can all result in scald burns. 

  • Open flames—when there is a lit candle or a crackling fire in the fireplace, we strongly advise all residents to be mindful of their distance from the flames. 

  • Chemical exposure—any form of caustic chemical, such as cleaners, can cause severe burns when it comes in contact with skin.

  • Faulty electrical equipment—faulty wiring, damaged cords or outlets—can all result in an electrical fire or release a charge that can cause severe burns and should be treated promptly by a medical professional.


While these are all common burn hazards that can occur or be found in every household, the good news is that there are steps homeowners can take to reduce their risk level, including:


  • Ensuring all electrical appliances and systems in their home are properly maintained

  • Heating systems like space heaters and electric blankets are used responsibly

  • Keep hot items like cooking plates, mugs of coffee or tea, or candles out of the reach of young children and older adults


Burn Prevention Tips for The Whole Family


The Black Jack Fire Protection District dedicates itself to raising awareness about preventing burn risks by promoting everyday burn and fire safety habits. Here are a few simple and effective methods to protect every member of your household from the risk of burns:


  • Check water temperatures—reduce the risk of scalding in your house by setting your water heaters to a maximum temperature of 120°F or lower, and always be sure to feel the water temperature before you step into a shower or bath.

  • Store household chemicals appropriately—keep any and all caustic or flammable cleaning products safely stored away and clearly labeled.

  • Practice safe heating—when using heating equipment like space heaters, heating pads, or electric blankets, we advise remaining mindful of its current temperature, its location near flammable items, and being sure to turn it off before leaving the room or going to bed. 

  • Handle hot items with care—use oven mitts when moving a pan from the stove or pulling a dish from the oven, avoid overfilling containers with hot food or liquids, be mindful of the proximity of vulnerable age groups like young children and older adults to hot foods and drinks.


Make burn prevention a household priority and significantly reduce your and your loved ones’ risk of injury. 


When Should You Seek Medical Care for A Burn?


Any burn that is located on the hands, face, feet, or genital area should always be evaluated by a medical professional to reduce the risk of lasting damage to the affected areas. Plus, any individual who is suffering a burn that meets the following criteria should absolutely seek immediate medical attention:


  • Large and deep

  • Severely painful

  • Causes blackened or whitened skin around the affected area

  • Caused by exposure to chemicals

  • A result of electrocution

  • Caused by being in close proximity to an explosion


Receiving immediate emergency medical care can drop an individual’s risk of infection and struggling with long-term complications.


Practice Fire Safety At Home And Protect Your Loved Ones From Burns


By adopting daily habits that prioritize fire and burn safety, all the residents of the District can rest assured knowing that they and their loved ones are proactively protecting themselves from the risk of severe burns, both at home and outside of it. For more information on effective fire safety tips or burn awareness guidelines, browse through our comprehensive library of informative blog articles on the subject.



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