<\/p>\n
Here are tips from the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center for celebrating on the 4th of July and every day when grilling with family and friends.<\/p>\n
Everybody likes cooking out, but this fun family activity resulted in 8,600 house fires last year. A 2013 National Fire Protection Association report on cooking equipment fires found that 7,200 home fires involved gas grills, while another 1,400 involved solid-fuel or charcoal grills. More than half of these fires were caused by using grills too close to structures. Almost a third (29 percent) started on an open porch or exterior balcony, another 27 percent began on a patio, terrace or in a courtyard. \u201cPosition the grill an open area away from the structure, on level ground and steady,\u201d notes Ernest Grant, RN, MSN, FAAN, outreach coordinator for the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center<\/a> in Chapel Hill, N.C. \u201cMake sure there is nothing above the grill\u2014eaves, trees, etc.\u2014that could be ignited by sparks of exposure to heat. And keep a hose, water bucket or fire extinguisher nearby to quickly dowse fires.\u201d If you can\u2019t quickly put out the fire, go to a safe area and call 9-1-1.<\/p>\n Everybody loves a cook-out. Here are some tips from the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center<\/a> in Chapel Hill, N.C., to help you grill safely.<\/p>\n \u201cUnattended cooking is a major cause of cooking-related house fires, and one that is easily prevented,\u201d says Ernest Grant, RN, MSN, FAAN, the center\u2019s outreach coordinator. Rule number one of grilling is never leave the grill unattended. He also suggests you:<\/p>\n Nobody plans to get burned while grilling out or shooting of Fourth of July fireworks, but it does happen. It may seem like overkill, but seconds count in an emergency, so keep a well-stocked first-aid kit and a water supply nearby when setting up and using grills and fireworks.<\/p>\n \u201cFor small burns, remove jewelry or constricting clothing and cool the affected areas with water for a minute or two,\u201d counsels Ernest Grant, RN, MSN, FAAN, outreach coordinator for the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center<\/a> in Chapel Hill, N.C. \u201cOnce it\u2019s cooled, cover the burned area with a sterile dressing or clean, non-fluffy materials to protect it from infection. Don\u2019t use adhesive bandages that may stick to the effected area and make it worse. Always seek medical attention for burns greater than the size of a quarter or if it is greater than the size of the victim\u2019s palm. Do not pop blisters.\u201d Don\u2019t use butter, mustard or even lotions, ointments or creams. If the pain persists, or if the burn is larger than the size of a quarter, visit your doctor or local emergency room.<\/p>\n For larger and deeper burns, begin cooling the burn while someone calls 9-1-1. Remove clothing and jewelry and make the individual as comfortable as possible. Cover the burn with a clean dressing and await the arrival the EMS personnel. \u201cThe same rules apply as with a smaller burn,\u201d Grant notes, \u201cbut don\u2019t administer any pain medications, even over the counter products with a large burn.\u201d These medications may affect blood flow and other functions that naturally help the body respond to the burn.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen in doubt,\u201d Grant cautions, \u201csee a doctor immediately. Burn and blast injuries are often permanent, so proper medical care from the beginning is critical.\u201d<\/p>\n There\u2019s a reason you see the fire department and other specially trained people supervising those big fireworks displays: They\u2019re dangerous. But even shooting off celebratory explosives in your front yard can end badly. Each year, between 8,500 and 9,800 people are injured in fireworks-related injuries\u2014and 89 percent of those are from consumer-grade products, including sparklers. These devices resulted in 17,800 reported fires in 2011 (the most recent year available), causing $32 million in direct property damage. (All data: National Fire Protection Association) That\u2019s why it\u2019s always best to leave the celebratory pyrotechnics to professionals. \u201cThe best and safest thing to do is to go to the public fireworks, displays,\u201d says Ernest Grant, RN, MSN, FAAN, outreach coordinator for the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center<\/a> in Chapel Hill, N.C.<\/p>\n Many of us think sparklers are the least dangerous of the Independence Day pyrotechnics. They don\u2019t blow up and they come with a handle. How much damage can they do? A lot, as it turns out. \u201cSparklers throw off showers of hot sparks may have a temperature that exceeds 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit,\u201d explains Ernest Grant, RN, MSN, FAAN, outreach coordinator for the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center<\/a> in Chapel Hill, N.C. \u201cThey\u2019re also dangerous because individuals usually hold them in their hands or attempt to re-ignite them if they fail to light the first time.\u201d According to the National Fire Protection Association, sparklers are the leading cause of fireworks related injuries (24 percent), just higher than reloadable shells (20 percent) and small firecrackers (14 percent). \u201cThe most common injury is to hands and fingers, and the face,\u201d Grant says. NFPA data show that 61 percent of injuries occur to these extremities, and 34 percent and the head, including the eyes. If you must use sparklers, Grants advises keeping them out of the hands of young children. \u201cNever relight a sparkler or firework that doesn\u2019t ignite the first time,\u201d he adds. \u201cKeep a bucket of water or the garden hose nearby in case sparks ignite ground cover, furnishings or structures.\u201d<\/p>\n Even if it\u2019s recently rained, fireworks burn hot enough to ignite even damp ground cover and structures. That\u2019s why fire and burn prevention professionals encourage everyone to leave Fourth of July pyrotechnics to professionals. But if you must exercise your own independence by creating your own celebration, follow these fire prevention tips from the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center<\/a> in Chapel Hill, N.C.<\/p>\n Follow these tips to have a safe and happy Independence Day. Get more tips and advice by keeping up with Burn Center on Facebook<\/a> and Twitter<\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" <\/p>\n Here are tips from the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center for celebrating on the 4th of July and every day when grilling with family and friends.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":74640,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"layout":"","cellInformation":"","apiCallInformation":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2742","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","odd"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Avoid Grill-Related Burns and Fires<\/b><\/h2>\n
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How to Treat a Grilling or Fireworks-Related Burn<\/b><\/h2>\n
Important Statistics about Fireworks Injuries and Property Damage<\/b><\/h2>\n
Sparklers Are More Dangerous than You Think<\/b><\/h2>\n
How to Avoid Fireworks-Related Fires<\/b><\/h2>\n
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