The statistics in South Africa is quite alarming, if we look at the total of South Africans as a whole, and every year 3.2 % of the population will burn. To narrow it down it is 161 children burn and 6 of these children die per year. Everyone is impacted by burns, it does not discriminate any socio-economic class or religion. If we divide it into groups children are mostly burnt by hot water and electricity and adults mainly because of fires ie: shack fires, car accidents or industrial accidents.
Fires can be prevented in many ways most importantly to be cognitive of your surroundings.
- Be vigilant and cognitive of the environment you are in.
- Do not leave heater unattended, and take out the plugs if not used.
- When using a kettle, do not put it at the edge of a counter for children to reach
- When using pots and pans with handles, point it inwards not outwards where if touched it could fall.
- do not leave your matches or lighter laying around.
Home Remedies on burns
- remove the clothing of affected area
- put affected area in cold water for 20 minutes
- Cover affected area with a wet towel
- Get to the closest hospital for medical assistance
What should not be done in the case of a fire
- Always put water on the burn not anything else, not ice, toothpaste, vaseline or butter just water ( the heat will be retained and you will continue to burn.)
When burnt with fire, do not panic. Breath. Stop, drop and roll.
DR Ethel Andrews works closely with the South African Burn Society through Sikelela Impilo.
CONTACT DETAILS
www.notonmywatch.org
010 5944742
079 367 6921
0861 888 843
Presented by Jasmine Mazwi at Bush Radio
---Jasmine Mazwi
Presented by Jasmine Mazwi at Bush Radio
---Jasmine Mazwi
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