TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 17, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- According to
an independent survey commissioned by Shriners Hospitals for
Children®, many do not follow key fire and burn safety
tips during the holiday season, which can be the most dangerous
time of year.
The national survey, conducted as part of the Shriners Hospitals
for Children annual Be Burn Aware campaign, polled
adults across the nation on their fire safety knowledge and
practices. Although overall awareness was high, the survey revealed
several gaps in action. The largest gap was associated with live
Christmas trees, one of the most dangerous fire hazards in homes
during this time of year. More than half of those surveyed said
they do not water trees daily, even though nearly three-quarters of
respondents were aware of the life-saving practice.*
Candle and cooking accidents account for a large portion of
house fires and injuries, but the study revealed Americans are not
taking simple steps to keep their homes safe. One-quarter of
Americans surveyed said they leave lit candles unattended, and
slightly more leave them in reach of children. The survey also
found that two of the simplest prevention tips are often not
followed in the kitchen – turning pot handles to the back of the
stove and keeping a cookie sheet nearby to extinguish a fire.
The survey results also show:
- 70 percent are aware that live Christmas trees should be
watered daily, but only 45 percent actually do.
- 25 percent leave lit candles unattended in their homes.
- 27 percent leave lit candles within the reach of children.
- 47 percent do not keep a lid or cookie sheet nearby when
cooking to extinguish a fire.
- 25 percent do not turn pot handles to the back of the stove and
out of children's reach.
"Some of these findings seem alarming but each year our burn
hospitals see the results – children who've been injured in cooking
related accidents or in fires associated with decorations or
candles," said Kenneth Guidera,
M.D., chief medical officer at Shriners Hospitals for Children.
"These injuries can mean years of ongoing treatments to a child's
growing skin and extensive rehabilitation."
To help reduce fires and burns, Shriners Hospitals for Children
is spreading important prevention messages through its Be
Burn Aware campaign. Public service announcements,
featuring actor Joe Minoso from the
NBC hit show Chicago Fire,
urge families to take precautions like watering live Christmas
trees daily to reduce fire risks. The hospital system also has
activity books, tip cards and a five-minute online quiz to help
families avoid holiday injuries at beburnaware.org.
"As the nation's leader in pediatric burn care, we want to
remind the public of the simple precautions they can take to reduce
the risks of fires and burns for a safe and happy holiday season,"
said Chris Smith, chairman of the
Board of Directors, Shriners Hospitals for Children. "Should a
severe burn occur, our expert medical staff is here to help,
regardless of the families' ability to pay. It's just another way
we send Love to the rescue®."
About Shriners Hospitals for Children
Shriners
Hospitals for Children is changing lives every day through
innovative pediatric specialty care, world-class research and
outstanding medical education. Our 22 locations in the United States, Canada and Mexico provide advanced care for children with
orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip
and palate.
Shriners Hospitals for Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization and relies on the generosity of donors. All donations
are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. Learn
more at shrinershospitalsforchildren.org.
* Study by Shriners Hospitals for Children, August 2016.
Contact: Meredith Resnick
Email: mresnick@1stdegree.com
Phone: 202-549-0807
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SOURCE Shriners Hospitals for Children