How to Prevent Burns in Your Home
Burns are devastating and can often be fatal. The most serious burns are those to the face. If you think for a moment what happens when you burn your finger is starts to swell. Well in the case of the face burns, if an airway is compromised, it also swells and can make breathing impossible. Intensive care must be administered, without haste, to stop swelling before it occurs, by a burn facility such as St. Barnabas Burn Center in Livingston, NJ. The degree of burn is calculated by the area of the body that has been affected. Patients will usually be driven via ambulance or helicopter depending on conditions of the situation.

Fortunately, by taking a few simple precautions, you can do a great deal to prevent burns. Here are some important safety tips for each area of your home.

Kitchen
  • Don't leave the room when something is cooking on the stove.
  • Keep children away from the stove when you're cooking.
  • Keep your oven and stove top clean.
  • Don't put anything flammable near the stove (e.g., towels, aerosol cans, pot holders, etc.).
  • Put pots and pans on the back burners and turn the handles inward so that they don't stick out.
  • Roll up your sleeves when cooking.
  • Turn off the stove if you have to reach above the flame.
  • Use only microwave-safe containers in the microwave.
  • Don't microwave baby bottles.
  • Keep hot drinks away from children.
  • Don't put sterno pans with water or hot food on tables with a tablecloth or placemat. Someone can step on, or children can pull these off the table.
  • Store matches and lighters out of children's reach.

Bathroom
  • Turn your hot water heater to 120 degrees.
  • Don't use electrical items (e.g., hair dryers, shavers, curling irons, radios) near a sink or tub of water.
  • Test bath water before putting your child in the tub. Use your wrist or elbow and not your hand.

Fireplaces and Heaters
  • Keep space heaters 3 feet away from flammable items such as rugs, pillows, and window treatments.
  • Don't leave the room with the space heater on.
  • Refuel kerosene heaters outside only, with kerosene only, when the unit is cool.
  • Use a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace.
  • Don't have rugs, papers, or wood near the fireplace or wood stove.
  • Hire a professional to inspect and clean your chimney every year.
  • Keep a fire extinguisher in a convenient spot.
  • Throw ashes only into metal cans.

Cellar, Garage and Grill
  • If your basement gets flooded, turn off electrical circuits if possible before getting your feet wet
  • Fill gas motors outside only.
  • Don't start your lawnmower or snow blower near the gas container or fumes.
  • Don't put lighter fluid or spray oils on a lit grill.
  • Use gas grills only outside.
  • Make sure you have water or sand nearby to put out a fire.
When my brother passed away from a tragic accident over 20 years ago, my two sisters and I joined to honor his memory.  I continue serving today for the same reason. I am also an EMS Trainer at the Bergen County Training Center. With each emergency call I make, it feels like I am helping my own family. If you want a new career, being an EMT leads to many health care positions.
Christine Kochaniec