Safety first when keeping warm

Freezing temperatures are driving a sharp increase in the risk of injuries from heating appliances and fires at this time of year.

Netcare is urging the public to be aware of these potentially deadly hazards and take extra precautions during the cold season.

“Accidental fires can start and get out of control incredibly quickly, leading to the risk of burns, severe injury and even endangering lives. Often, burns and heating-related injuries are preventable, but people tend to underestimate the risks in their own homes or familiar environments,” said Mande Toubkin, general manager of emergency, trauma, transplant and corporate social investment at Netcare.

“Safety must always be the first priority around any source of heat, particularly if there are children around.

Common household items such as lit candles, heaters, paraffin lamps, hot irons, kettles, stoves, cooking pots, ovens and fireplaces, as well as lighters and fire-starting gadgets, can soon become sources of injury when safety is compromised.”

Tips to stay safe while keeping warm:
• Never leave heat sources unattended
• Keep a clear space around heat sources, and eliminate trip hazards and loose cords
• Watch children carefully in the kitchen, near heaters and around anything that could cause burns
• Set geyser temperatures to a safe temperature (ideally 50 to 55 degrees Celsius)
• Don’t use liquid accelerants when making a fire
• Extinguish fires and switch off heating appliances overnight
• Ensure adequate ventilation for indoor spaces
• Take care when handling hot drinks, boiling water or steaming food
• Check the water temperature before children get into the bath. It should be comfortably warm, not hot.
• Ensure all electrical plug points and appliance cords are in good working order
• Maintain fire extinguishers and know how to use one in an emergency
• Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors

What to do in a burn emergency
Netcare 911 operations director Shalen Ramduth adds that even with precautions in place, accidents can still happen and emphasises the importance of knowing what to do when confronted with burns and related injuries.

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Step one: Stay calm and ensure safety as you remove the heat source or extinguish the flames.

Step two: Assess the person’s injuries. If the burns are severe, cause significant pain, involve the eyes, are larger than the person’s hand, or if smoke inhalation is suspected, call emergency medical services immediately.

Step three: Remove any clothing not stuck to the burnt areas, especially if it is smouldering, but leave any clothing stuck to the wound for medical professionals to remove.

Step four: Rinse the affected area for at least 20 minutes, then cover the burn with a clean, wet cloth, first aid burn gel, or a dressing. Do not apply ice to a burn, as it can cause tissue damage.

Step five: Keep the burn clean and protected until it can be medically assessed and treated.

“Effective burn care starts with public awareness and basic first aid knowledge. For serious burn injuries, our integrated team, from paramedics through to emergency departments and on to final rehabilitation specialists, works together to achieve the best possible outcomes,” Toubkin said.

“This winter, we appeal to everyone to help prevent tragedies by adopting safer practices around heating appliances and fires. Tonight, before you go to bed, do one thing: unplug that heater, put out that candle, or test that smoke alarm.

“It takes only a few minutes to check your home’s heating safety. Every injury prevented is more than a statistic; it means a child doesn’t suffer, a parent’s ability to earn a living, and real people’s lives spared trauma.”

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