Simple Ways to Avoid Household Burns

According to the American Burn Association, 66% of burns nationwide occur in the home. Some burns are minor and can be easily treated while others require hospitalization and some even result in death. There are many ways you can become burned in the comfort of your own home but with a little vigilance the chance of injury can decrease.

Preventing Chemical Burns

o Wear gloves while using harsh productso Keep products away from your eyes or if available wear safety goggles o Never inhale or swallow a cleaning producto Never mix cleaning chemicals together as chemical reactions can happen quickly and

can cause chemical burns when inhaled o Keep children away from cleaning products by putting chemicals up in a locked cabinet

Preventing Cooking Related Burns

o Keep children out of the kitchen when you are cooking anything that has popping grease, like bacon

o Try to keep hot objects on the back burner and always turn handles toward the center of the stove

o Invest in oven locks to prevent children from burning themselves on a hot oven

Preventing Radiation Burns

o Keep you and your family safe by wearing sunblock: SPF 30 is recommended for adults and SPF 50 for kids

o Wear a brimmed hat and long sleeve but light weight shirts and pants

Appliance Related Burns

o Always be aware where your hands are or where the heated area of the appliance is located

o Never leave a curling iron plugged in or unattended and allow your iron to cool before placing it back into its storage area - these same rules apply for the simple things like toasters, clothing irons, hair dryers, and other common heat producing appliances

If you are burned, however, through someone else’s negligence or by a defective product, please be aware that Oregon injury lawyers are available to help ensure accountability. Call 503-222-4411 for more information.

Source: The Safety Report