National Burn Awareness Day October 2020
The latest NBAD was a success despite the difficulty for burn services to collaborate with Fire Services and media in the promotion of the key messages which centred on the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the number and types of burn injury being seen in England and Wales and the clear association of burn injury with social and financial deprivation across all age groups. There where also messages about trying to avoid firework and bonfire related injuries during lock down.
Press Release for 14 Oct 2020
Worst off families in England and Wales most at risk of burn injuries to children
Today, on National Burn Awareness Day 2020, the Children’s Burns Trust and British Burn Association are campaigning to highlight a concerning correlation between social deprivation and the number of children sustaining life-altering burn injuries.
New data from the International Burn Injury Database (iBID), shows a clear link between children living in the most deprived areas of England and Wales and those who are admitted to a Specialist Burns Unit following a burn or scald injury. Children living in the top ten socially deprived areas are X times more likely to be burned or scalded than those living in the more affluent areas of England and Wales.
The Children’s Burns Trust and British Burn Association, have released this exclusive insight to raise awareness of the devastating number of children that are, on a daily basis, affected by life-altering burn injuries, and to promote the right burn-related first aid to parents, carers, grandparents and others involved in the care of children.
The data also highlights the top causes of burn injuries in children, with those under 5 being most at risk from hot drink spills, such as tea and coffee.
Older children, those in the 15 – 24-year age group, are most at risk from firework injuries and fires outside the home. The data shows….With Bonfire night fast approaching and organised firework displays being unable to take place due to Covid-19 restrictions, experts are concerned that injuries from these sources may increase this autumn/winter. Due to the many families who will take it upon themselves to organise their own firework displays at home.
The core aim of National Burn Awareness day is to urge families to be aware of the risks to children. A burn injury is for life, the scars are physical as well as psychological, and can present life-long challenges for the individual and their families.
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Ken Dunn, Consultant Burn and Plastic Surgeon and Trustee of The Children’s Burns Trust, whose work is focused on children and their families said: “Looking at the correlation between deprivation and burn and scald injuries so far in 2020 brings into stark reality how important it is to raise awareness of the everyday dangers children are facing, especially around this time of year when firework injuries are most likely to occur. The vast majority of burn injuries are accidents, and most are entirely avoidable. On National Burn Awareness Day 2020, we need to see greater awareness about prevention and good first aid, both of which are key to reducing the number of injuries.”
Hundreds of NHS Services, Fire and Rescue Services, along with other organisations, come together each year on National Burn Awareness Day to raise awareness of the alarming number of people burned each and every day in the UK – the vast majority of which are preventable. The campaign also helps to promote the vital message of the importance of good first aid if a burn or scald does occur: COOL for 20 minutes under cool running water, CALL 999 OR 111 or your GP for advice, COVER the burn loosely with cling film.
All statistics have been provided by the International Burn Injury Database (iBID), incorporating data collected from all NHS Burn Services in England and Wales, they do not include the minor burns and scalds that are treated by Accident and Emergency Departments.