February 6-12, 2022, was National Burn Awareness Week, sponsored by the American Burn Association (ABA). The week was an opportunity for organizations to mobilize burn, fire and life safety educators to unite in sharing a common burn awareness and prevention message in our communities. The 2022 theme was Burning Issues in the Kitchen! Below are a few International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) safety tips to help you and your family stay safe in the kitchen. #IAFFSafetyTips
- Have a kid-free zone of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
- Treat a burn right away. Cool the burn with cool water for 3-5 minutes. Cover with a clean, dry cloth. Get medical help if needed.
- Hot liquids from bath water, hot coffee and even microwaved soup can cause devastating injuries. Scald burns are the second leading cause of all burn injuries.
- Place hot liquids and food in the center of a table or toward the back of a counter.
The American Burn Association and the IAFF provided social media graphics and other awareness materials available on the ABA website and IAFF website to be shared by organizations and educators throughout the country. Social media graphics included tips, such as:
- When frying, use a pan lid to prevent splatter burns.
- Never leave the stove unattended. Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling or broiling food. If you leave, turn off the stove.
- Keep your stovetop clear. Always wipe clean the stove, oven, exhaust fan to prevent grease buildup.
- Monitor your appliances. After cooking, check the kitchen to make sure all burners and other appliances are turned off.
