Prairie State Wire

Burn risks are present in all living spaces, including homes, apartments, and temporary shelters. During National Burn Awareness Week from February 2 to 8, 2025, the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is promoting awareness about preventing burn injuries and fires at home. The theme for this year, "Burn Prevention Starts Where You Live," emphasizes practical steps to reduce burn hazards in various parts of the home.

"Burn injuries can happen fast making it so important that you are following proper safety steps to help injuries from occurring. The statistics are staggering when it comes to the number of burn injuries that impact the U.S per year," stated Illinois State Fire Marshal James A. Rivera. He added that simple changes can prevent life-altering injuries and create safer environments.

Camp I AM Me by the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance offers programs for burn survivors that have significantly impacted many lives. Information about their programs is available on their website.

The American Burn Association recorded 32,540 burn injury cases in 2023 and 156,073 over five years requiring hospitalization at a burn center. Annually, approximately one person per 10,000 in the U.S. requires inpatient hospitalization due to burns.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported more than 398,000 people sought medical care for burns in 2021. Children under five were twice as likely to visit emergency departments for burns compared to others. Many such incidents occur at home and can be prevented with awareness and education.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), every minute someone in the U.S. sustains a serious burn injury requiring treatment. Scald injuries affect all ages but pose particular risks to children, older adults, and people with disabilities. Scald burns rank as the second leading cause of all burn injuries.

Philip Zaleski, Executive Director of Camp I Am Me stated: "Each year, thousands of individuals are affected by burn injuries that could have been prevented through simple safety measures." He emphasized using National Burn Awareness Week as an opportunity for proactive steps towards reducing risks at home and in communities.

Key tips include:

- Kitchen Safety: Store flammable items away from heat sources.

- Bathroom Precautions: Set water heaters below 120°F.

- Sleeping Areas: Extinguish candles before sleeping.

- General Home Safety: Test smoke alarms regularly.

National Burn Awareness Week is led by the American Burn Association to educate on preventing burn injuries through community collaboration and proactive measures.

For further resources on campaign information and prevention tips visit ifsa.org or ameriburn.org.