02/06/2026
This week marks National Burn Awareness Week. This annual awareness campaign is a reminder that burn injuries can happen anywhere. Whether at home, outdoors, or at work, a burn can quickly turn life threatening. Burn injuries often happen during everyday routines, and children are especially vulnerable to burns.
Prevention is key to burn safety. View burn prevention tips from the American Burn Association:
1️⃣ Cook when you’re alert. Choose to cook when you’re wide awake, not drowsy.
2️⃣ Create a “kid-free zone.” Keep a no-touch zone of at least three feet around the stove and places where hot food or drinks are prepared or carried. Children are especially vulnerable to burns.
3️⃣ Use tools safely. Have hot pads or long oven mitts ready when cooking, and assume all dishes are hot.
4️⃣ Check food regularly. When simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling, check food often. Stay home and use a timer as a reminder.
5️⃣ Turn it off. After cooking, double-check that all burners and appliances are turned off.
If a burn injury occurs, the Broadlawns Emergency Department is open 24/7 to assess injuries and help determine next steps for care.
