Death due to burns has now become a serious matter of concern for public health. According to the data published by WHO in the year 2017, nearly 1.95 lakhs deaths happen every year because of burns. Women residing in the South-East Asian region have the highest rate of burns, computing for 27% of global Burn deaths and nearly 70% of causalities in the region. Apart from adult women, children are more prone to burns. Burns have been ranked as 11th leading cause of death among children aged between one and nine years all across the globe. It is also considered as the fifth most common cause of non-fatal injuries among childhood.
Looking at these numbers, the Union Health Ministry has decided to celebrate the first full week of February as Burn Awareness Week. The main aim of the day is to spread awareness and prevention message in our communities regarding to the safety measures one can take to avoid burns. Every year the week is followed by a specific theme and this year the theme for the week is “be burn aware-especially at home”.
Burn Cases in India:
As published by WHO, in India more than 10 lakhs people suffer from moderate and severe burns every year. It has been observed that the burn death rates are decreasing in high-income countries whereas, the rate of child deaths from burns is increasing by seven times as compared to that in low and middle income countries which include India also.
Looking after the scenario the government of India has made the budget of Rs. 2, 933 crore National Programme against Burn Injuries. As the ministry has recorded, around 70 lakhs of burn cases gets registered every year among which 1.4 lakhs people die due of burn injuries. As the records say, nearly 70% of all the burn injuries appear at the most constructive age group (15-35 years). About 4 out of 5 burnt cases are of women and children.
As per doctors among all the traumas, burn injury cases requires the longest duration of hospital bed occupancy. The overhaul of individual is very challenging and disconcerting task.
Safety Tips to avoid Burn injuries:
- There are various safety measure tips which one can follow to keep themselves and their family member away from the various burn injuries.
- Kitchen Safety tips for the prevention of scalds and burn:
- Make sure you never leave your cooking forsaken, even for a quick moment
- Teach your toddlers that hot thing burn
- Turn pot handles away from the stove’s edge.
- Always keep hot foods and liquids away from the table and counter edge
Bathroom safety tips for the prevention of burn and scalds:
- Try not to leave the bathroom while the tub is filling up, especially when kids re in home.
- Always test the temperature of the water before getting yourself or your child in the bathtub.
- Always fill the tub by running cool water first and then by adding the hot water. Mix the water thoroughly and check the temperature by placing your hand, wrist or forearm in the water. The water should feel warn not hot, as hot water can cause scalds or burn.
