According to the American Burn Association, roughly 450,000 people receive medical treatment for burn injuries each year. Burn injuries can result in swelling, blistering, scarring, shock and even death.
Around 3,400 people die each year from burn-related causes. The American Burn Association’s 2012 Fact Sheet shared the common causes of burn-related deaths for last year:
- 2,550 deaths from residential fires
- 300 from vehicle crash fires
- 150 deaths from flame burns or smoke inhalation in non-residential fires
- 400 from contact with electricity, scalding liquids or hot objects
The cause of most burn injuries and deaths is from a residential fire. To help prevent fires and burn injuries at home, be extra cautious when using these five items:
- Clothing irons: You might use an iron every day to press your clothes, but this tool causes many severe burn injuries every year.
- Curling iron: Curling irons can cause burns to the face, hands and arms. Children also can be hurt by grabbing a curling iron they didn’t know was hot.
- Barbecue grills: Many enjoy grilling in the summer, but burn injuries related to grilling can be very severe since you are coming in direct contact with fire.
- Ovens and stovetops: It’s painful to forget to put on your oven mitts and then grab a dish from a 400 degree oven. Ovens and stovetops cause many burn injuries to busy cooks.
- Fireplaces: Even though a cozy fire in your fireplace is romantic, it can be difficult to get your fire burning in a controlled manner for an extended period of time. Don’t let your guard down when tending to it.
Many times burn injuries are due to the negligence of someone else. If you or your loved one have suffered a burn injury due to someone’s irresponsibility, you deserve compensation. Contact the Dallas burn injury attorneys at Crowe Arnold & Majors, LLP today and set-up your free, no-obligation consultation.
