(NAPSI)—According to the U.S. Fire Administration, the risk of house fires and burn injuries increases drastically during the month of December. However, there are ways you can protect your home and family.
A Holiday Hazard
During the holiday season, it is important to be aware of potential fire-related dangers. Statistics show that your Christmas tree could be a big risk, with one in every 40 Christmas tree fires resulting in death.* Simple steps like watering a Christmas tree daily can significantly minimize risk of fire.
What To Do
Shriners Hospitals for Children® offers these simple reminders to help families Be Burn Aware and stay safe this holiday season:
• Water trees daily. Discard when dry.
• Keep trees away from heaters and flames.
• Discard lights with bare wires, frays or kinks.
• Never leave lit candles unattended.
• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so children cannot reach them.
• Never leave a hot stove or oven unattended.
• Keep a lid or cookie sheet nearby to cover a pan if it catches on fire.
• Follow instructions and cautions for heating items in a microwave oven.
• Keep matches and lighters away from children and teach them that fire is dangerous.
• Keep electrical cords from being trapped against walls. Make sure there is some space between them and any furniture.
• Do not overload electrical circuits or extension cords.
• Do not place electrical cords or wires under rugs, over nails or in high-traffic areas.
• Shut off and unplug appliances that sputter, spark or smell. Have them checked and repaired or replaced.
• Be careful when using portable heaters. Be sure bedding, clothing and other combustible items are at least three feet from space heaters.
• Use fireplace screens and have the chimney cleaned annually.
• Install and maintain smoke alarms on every floor of the home and near every bedroom. Test them monthly.
Care Beyond Four Walls
As the experts in pediatric burn treatment, Shriners Hospitals for Children provides critical, surgical and rehabilitative burn care to children, regardless of a family’s ability to pay. Since Shriners Hospitals entered the burn care field in the 1960s, the survival rate has doubled for children with burns of more than 50 percent of their body surface. Today, patients with burns of more than 90 percent of their body can survive and go on to lead full, productive lives.
“Our patients and families know Shriners Hospitals takes the role of caring for kids very seriously and that care goes beyond the walls of our hospitals,” stated Jerry Gantt, chairman of the Board of Directors for Shriners Hospitals for Children. “Programs like Be Burn Aware help us to reach into the community to help keep kids safe. It’s just another way we send Love to the rescue®.”
Learn More
For additional tips to prevent burn injuries, complimentary activity books and educational materials for the entire family, visit www.BeBurnAware.org.
Photo Credit: Jasleen Kaur
