Pay attention to burns at home
Coronavirus increased the risk further in Turkey where nearly 6 million home accidents occur a year. While home accidents caused by children aged 0-6 and individuals over 65 increased, complaints of "burns" also increased during the period spent at home to be protected from the epidemic. Lecturer Adile Savsar from Department of Nursing, Izmir University of Economics (IUE) stated that 59 percent of burns occur at home, according to worldwide research, and that this rate increased to 75 percent during the quarantine period. Savsar explained in 9 items what should be done when attending to a person exposed to the burn.
Adile Savsar, Lecturer at IUE Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing, drew attention to the fact that 180 thousand people die due to burns worldwide every year and shared the data in the American Burn Association (ABA) National Burn Report published last year. Savsar said that fire burns caused by clothes catching fire, use of gasoline or kerosene took the first place in the report with 41 percent. Savsar stated that scalds caused by spilling of hot liquids or exposure to hot bath water are the second most common burns with a rate of 31 percent.
DO NOT WEAR LOOSE CLOTHING WHEN COOKING
Noting that burns are preventable, Savsar said, “Fire extinguishers should be placed in fire risk areas at home. Most burns in the home occur while cooking. While cooking, we should avoid wearing loose clothing and actions such as cooking on an open fire.” Stating that during cooking, it is important not to leave the kitchen, and the objects that can ignite and the appliances such as stove and heater should be kept away from the stove, Savsar said, “The cooker or oven buttons should be marked so that the "on-off" position can be easily noticed. Matches and lighters should be kept out of the reach of children. If possible, use childproof lighters.”
50 DEGREES MAXIMUM
Savsar continued her speech as follows: “Heating devices should be fixed; clothes should be worn away from heating devices. The water temperature to be used at home should be set to a maximum of 50 degrees. Teapot or pan handles on the stove should be turned inwards. All electric devices should be kept away from water and hot surfaces. Hair dryer, iron, shaver should be unplugged when not in use. Cables in the sockets should not be exposed, socket covers should be used, and sockets should be at the appropriate height.”
KEEP IN WATER FOR 20 MINUTES
Stating that evaluation of the burn and first intervention are very important, Savsar pointed out that deep burns may occur even if the temperature is lower because children have thinner skin. Emphasizing that it would be beneficial to apply to the health institution for burns other than minor household accidents, Savsar said that substances such as medication or ointment should not be applied to the burned area and that the burnt area should be kept under tap water for at least 20 minutes.
WHAT TO PAY ATTENTION TO IN BURNS
- The cause of burn should be removed quickly.
- Liquid-filled bubbles should not be popped.
- Jewelry such as rings, bracelets and watches should be removed considering that edema may occur.
- Clothes in the burn area should be removed, the burn should be covered with a clean cloth, and then medical assistance should be sought from 112.
- If chemical substances come into contact with the eyes, the eyes should not be rubbed, they should be washed with plenty of water for at least 20 minutes. If the chemical substance comes into contact with one eye, care should be taken not to contaminate the healthy eye during washing. The eye should be covered with a clean cloth.
- In electrical burns, we should be calm, and the electric current should be shut off before touching the injured person. If it is not possible to shut off the current, the electrical contact should be shut off with an object such as a wooden stick or rope.
- The injured person should never be attended to with water and the injured should not be moved.
- The injured area should be covered with a clean cloth and medical assistance should be sought.
