This week is National Burn Awareness Week. Burn, fire, and life safety educators have worked tirelessly to make the public aware of what they should do during a burn injury. This week introduces consistent and authoritative measures to prevent injuries from burns and how to care for those that are injured. 

For this year, the theme for Awareness Week is Electrical Safety from Amps to Zap! Office of the State Fire Marshall Spokesperson JC Fultz, says that there is a lot to focus on in this theme.

In the US there are nearly 400,000 people every year who receive medical care for the treatment of burns. In 2018 there were 3,655 deaths from fire and smoke inhalation and another 40,000 people were treated in hospitals for burn-related injuries.

Conducting risk assessments at home can make all the difference as it could prevent the risk of accidental electrocution. Fultz says, you never know when taking a few simple steps of precaution may save a life.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, every 60 seconds someone in the US sustains a burn injury serious enough to require treatment. Primary causes of injury includes fire-flame, scalds, contact with hot objects, electrical, and chemical. Most injuries occur in the home. Today over 96% of those who suffer burn injuries will survive. 

To learn more about this program visit: www.IFSA.org.