Stay Fire Smart! Don't get burned

  • Published
  • By the 325th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department
TYNDALL AIR FORCE, Fla. --  Testing the water before putting a child in the bath sounds like common sense. Wearing short or close-fitting sleeves when cooking on the stovetop shows foresight. These and other simple actions may be all it takes to prevent devastating burns. 

National Fire Prevention Week 2009 focuses on burn awareness and prevention, as well as keeping homes safe from the leading causes of home fires, like cooking accidents. 

From October 4-10, fire and life safety educators across the country will bring important safety messages to their communities, showing them simple ways they can "Stay Fire Smart! Don't Get Burned." Tyndall Fire and Emergency Services is rallying behind this cause and will be spreading the word to Tyndall's workforce, providing tips and information on how to keep you safe at work and at home. Look for us at the Exchange Mall, Elementary School, Child Development Center and Youth Center. 

Here are a few tips to get you started: 

· Keep hot foods and liquids away from the edges of tables and counter so they cannot be pulled or knocked over.
· Have a 3-foot "kid-free" zone around the stove.
· Never hold a child in your arms while preparing hot food or drinking a hot beverage.
· Teach children that hot things hurt.
· To avoid scalds, set the thermostat on your water heater to no higher than 120 
   degrees F.
· Remember young children and older adult's skin burns more easily.
· Consider having "anti-scald" devices on tub faucets and shower heads to prevent scalds.
· Test the water before placing a child or yourself in the tub.
· Treat a burn right away. Put it in cool water for three to five minutes. Cover with a clean, dry cloth.
· If the burn is bigger than your fist or if you have any questions, get medical help right away.
· Remove all clothing, diapers, jewelry and metal from the burned areas.
· The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking.
· Pay attention to what you are cooking. Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling food.
· When you are simmering, boiling, baking or roasting food, check it regularly, stay in the home and use a timer to remind you. 

No matter the precautions we take to ensure a fire safe home, accidents and bad luck happen. Be prepared for the unexpected fire. Always have an operable fire extinguisher in the home. Teach your family members how to use them and when not to use them. Fire extinguishers are meant to be used on small fires only. Never put yourself in harms way trying to use an extinguisher and always call 911 for help. Please contact Tyndall Fire and Emergency Services for more information at (850) 283-3097.