Like other cities across BC, the City of Terrace observed Burn Awareness Week from Feb. 6 to Feb. 9. BC Professional Fire Fighters Burn Fund and BC Children’s Hospital joined hands to promote this year’s focus on ‘Flammable liquid burns’.
Throughout the week, the city shared safety tips on social media on burn prevention and first aid for burn injuries.
Apart from the social media posts, a video series was also released by BC Professional Fire Fighters Burn Fund featuring safety tips from a fire fighter and a plastic surgeon highlighting crucial aspects of a burn survivor’s journey of rescue and recovery.
The top three tips from Terrace fire chief Chad Cooper to prevent flammable liquid burns include,
1. Keep children at a safe distance with a “circle of safety” at least 3 feet from the fire edge.
2. Keep gasoline in a secure location, out of the reach of children
3. Don’t use an accelerant such as gasoline, kerosene or aerosol sprays to start a fire
In an event of a burn injury, Chief Cooper says the following steps should be followed -
1. If you have burning flammable liquids on your body or clothes, stop, drop and roll until the flames have been extinguished. Then call 911.
2. Cool the burn with cool (not cold) water to stop the burning process.
3. Remove all clothing from the injured area.
4. Cover the area with a clean dry sheet or bandage.
5. Seek medical attention.
