OSFM Raises Awareness During National Burn Awareness Week

Every 60 seconds someone in the U.S. sustains a burn injury serious enough to require treatment. Springfield, Ill- National Burn Awareness Week, is an initiative of the American Burn Association and is a coming together of burn, fire and life safety educators to make the public aware of the frequency, devastation and causes of burn injury. The week introduces consistent and authoritative measures to prevent these injuries and how to best care for those that are injured. The theme for National Burn Awareness Week 2021, “Electrical Safety from Amps to Zap!”, highlights a common risk of injury that exists from unprotected electrical outlets, improperly used extension cords, lightning, and workplace electrical injuries. Annually, in the United States, approximately 400,000 people receive medical care for treatment of burn injuries. In 2018 alone, there were 3,655 deaths from fire and smoke inhalation and another 40,000 people were treated in hospitals for burn related injuries.