Spike in winter burns as experts urge caution
As the winter chill hits, The Alfred has seen a dramatic increase in the number of patients presenting with burns sustained in the home, compared to the same time last year.
The 20 per cent rise includes patients who have sustained scald burns from falls in showers, burn injuries from stove top cooking with oil or boiling water, skin contact with heaters and exploding hot water bottles.
One of these patients was Jen, who was using her stove to make a cup of tea when her clothes caught fire.
“I was standing at the stove wearing a flowing top and as I turned to fill the kettle, my top caught fire.
“As flames raced up my chest, face and hair, I just realised – this can happen in an instant.”
Jen was rushed to the Victorian Adult Burns Service at The Alfred, where she spent two weeks having multiple surgeries after suffering mid-deep dermal burns to her cheek, neck, right arm and back, as well as superficial burns to the face.
Mel Neely, Burns Nurse Clinical Lead at The Alfred, says as the days get cooler, more and more accidents are occurring around the home.
“Simple activities, that we do every day, can result in lifechanging injury,” Mel said.
“We want everyone to stay safe in the home. Be careful and be mindful because it only takes a few seconds for a serious burn to occur.”
Top tips for staying safe in the home:
- In the kitchen, always supervise children and keep saucepan handles turned in. Have a fire blanket on hand in case you need to cover a frypan that has caught fire.
- Do not sit within one metre of a portable heater and ensure it’s not resting on a soft surface.
- Set your hot water supply to a maximum of 50C.
- Never use a hot water bottle. Replace your hot water bottle with a wheat pack or opt for an extra blanket instead.
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