It’s National Burn Awareness Week At The Eureka Fire Protection District

The week of February 1-7 is National Burn Awareness Week, and the Eureka Fire Protection District is proud to provide the residents of our community with helpful guidance on how to prevent burns. We are committed to keeping Eureka residents and their families safe. Burns can happen anywhere—from home to recreational settings—meaning that all Eureka residents need to be aware of how to protect themselves from various causes of burns, which starts with equipping them with the right tools. 

We provide Eureka residents with practical tips and effective guidance to help prevent burns both at home and anywhere else. Join us in raising awareness this week by teaching your children about burn safety, checking your smoke alarms, practicing mindfulness during cooking, and reviewing safety guidelines. Together, we can make a difference in our community and ensure that every Eureka resident knows how to protect themselves from burns

Common Causes of Burn Injuries

Since burns are one of the most common injuries we see, understanding how and where these injuries can be caused is an actionable first step to prevent them. At the Eureka Fire Protection District, we see that most burns generally result from these common events:

• Accidents in the kitchen—burns typically occur in the kitchen from accidental exposure to hot liquids, stovetops, and grease.

• Hot objects or surfaces—accidental contact with heaters, irons, grills or equipment that either emits heat or gets hot while functioning.

• Exposure to chemicals—chemical burns can result from access to household cleaning agents and industrial-grade chemicals.

• Sun exposure—the sun can cause first- and second-degree burns to skin that isn’t covered in sunscreen or protective layers of clothing, such as long-sleeve shirts or hats.

By recognizing these common risks, Eureka residents can take crucial steps to significantly reduce the risk of burns. Strong starting points to make homes in Eureka safer from the risk of fire and burns is installing smoke detectors on every level of the household, taking full advantage of sunscreen and any other form of protective gear when dealing with an open flame or caustic chemicals, and most importantly, remaining cautious and aware of the persistent risk.

National Burn Awareness Week Prevention Tips

The Eureka Fire Protection District strongly recommends these practical tips to protect residents from burn risks at home, work and beyond:

• Keep hot liquids and food out of reach of young children and older adults

• Test water temperatures before bathing

• Establish an emergency plan in case of fire

• Install and maintain smoke alarms within your home and workspace

• Practice safe cooking habits

• Store and use chemicals safely

• Follow workplace safety guidelines

• Use protective gear when doing activities near an open-flame or chemicals

• Wear sunscreen and protective clothing to prevent severe sunburns

Following these tips will both protect and significantly reduce the risk of burns for residents in and around Eureka, MO. Taking preventative measures is far simpler than treating burns, and could save a life, so we strongly encourage Eureka residents to remain mindful of these tips throughout the remainder of the year.

Why Burn Awareness Is Important

Burn injuries are a consistent danger throughout the year and can lead to disability and severe long-term complications. Teaching burn awareness is a critical part of burn prevention. That’s why the Eureka Fire Protection District emphasizes teaching residents how to remain aware of the risks.

• Many burns are preventable—teaching residents how to avoid common sources of burns both at home and beyond can help to reduce the likelihood of severe injuries.

• Quick responses are key—knowing what actions need to be taken after a burn can help to minimize lasting damage and prevent serious complications.

• Promotes community safety—promoting widespread burn education encourages an increase in safe practices in neighborhoods, schools and workplaces in and around Eureka. 

When community members are empowered to make safer choices, they significantly reduce the risk of accidents and life-threatening emergencies, which creates a safer environment for everyone. 

Explore Our Burn Safety Resources for Eureka Families

Interested in learning more about how to prevent serious burns and how to protect yourself and your family from the risk of fire? Explore our library of fire safety tips or contact the Eureka Fire Protection District for more information.

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