Burn Awareness Week
A burn injury is one of the most painful and serious injuries that a person can suffer from, and are the leading cause of accidental fatality and injury across the nation. The recovery from a burn injury often requires multiple surgeries, skin grafts, and physical therapy, as well as medications and frequent doctor visits. The financial costs of a burn injury can be great, and victims often carry lifelong physical scars and disabilities.
The American Burn Association’s (ABA) National Burn Awareness Week will be commemorated this year from February 4, 2018 through February 10, 2018, and will focus on education and awareness to prevent burn injuries. The ABA strives to inform the public that most burn injuries can be prevented with simple yet vital changes in human behavior. Awareness of the causes and risks of certain behaviors and environmental conditions can prevent burn accidents.
Burn Awareness and Prevention
Annually, over 3,000 people suffer fatal injuries, and close to 500,000 people are treated for burn injuries. While many fatal burn injuries resulted from motor vehicle accidents, over half of all burn injuries and fatalities occur in residential accidents and incidents. House fires caused by faulty electrical wiring, overheating appliances, including clogged dryer vents, and cooking accidents involving grease fires, flammable kitchen materials, and hot liquids and steam, are the most reported cause of burn injuries.
Children under the age of 15, the elderly, and the disabled are most at risk for serious or fatal burn injuries. While most people believe they practice fire safety, few practice routine home fire drills or regularly update their knowledge and awareness of fire and burn risks. Summer activities such as campfires, outdoor grilling, and fireworks displays result in numerous burn injuries seen in emergency rooms across the country. Cooler temperatures in the fall and winter seasons bring risks of burns from live flame and gas fireplaces, space heaters, and indoor cooking accidents.
The annual Burn Awareness Week will also focus on educating the public on first aid for burn injuries. Knowing how to properly respond to administering first aid to a burn victim is vital to their survival and overall recovery. While those at the scene of a burn accident or injury need to administer first aid, first responders need to know when to obtain professional medical help to minimize the risks of infection and scarring. The 2018 Burn Awareness Week is a national campaign that provides educational materials, hosts community events, and offers professional resources to help bring awareness to burns from fires, electricity, and chemicals. Resources and information are free to the public and available on the ABA website.
New Jersey Burn Injury Lawyers at Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP Help Burn Victims Claim Compensation
If you or someone you know has suffered a burn injury due to another’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the experienced team of New Jersey burn injury lawyers at Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP at 732-777-0100, or contact us online to schedule a consultation today. Our offices are in Red Bank, Edison, and Toms River, New Jersey, and we serve clients throughout the state.
Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP has purposely remained small in size, because it is important to us that we get to know our clients and their needs. Larger NJ injury firms may churn out case after case, but that’s not how we operate. Partners Barry Eichen, William Crutchlow, and Daryl Zaslow have created a firm with the resources to handle complex litigation, and a team that takes your case personally.
Find out more about Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP