Burns and fires are mostly reported in winter.
Janine Rech from Surgeons for Little Lives, who is a mother herself, took it upon herself to inform all the parents, guardians and especially mothers about how to prevent domestic fires and burns so they can celebrate along with all the mothers on mother’s day.
Mother’s day happens to fall during the winter season, the time period most fires and burns are reported.
Rech was handing out pamphlets to the people at Baragwanath Hospital about how to prevent and treat burn wounds, however she was more than happy to give insight as to how to not fall for the old stigmas that even her grandmother believed in whenever a family member got burnt.
Rech said, “First of all it is important to keep the home safe from hanging and dangling electrical wires, and all appliances must be placed out of reach from the little ones.”
She did say how it is wise to assist children when bathing with hot water and how they should not be allowed to play with matches.
She said that mothers must make sure that their children are not exposed to cleaning materials and other toxic materials like dish washers and bleach.
During the winter season, most households keep their heaters on to warm up the house, Rech said, “Blankets must be kept away from heaters because whenever they make contact, the end could be fatal.”
She said, “In case of a burn wound, mothers must be prepared with a first aid kit, or even a home made kit which can be made from an old ice cream container with all the contents.”
The first aid kit essentials for a burn wound according to Rech would be, Dremalin for the cuts, plasters, bandages, dettol, Burn Shield gel for burns, patches and panado.
She advised for the kit be kept away from kids at all times and that it should stay updated.
“If mothers do have to deal with a burn wound they should immediately dip the burnt part in tap water for approximately five minutes, then depending on the severity of the burn, they may either treat the wound themselves or rush to the hospital.”
She discussed how the stigmas can worsen the burn wound and said, “I wish all the mothers a happy mothers day and God forbid any of them faces a burn accident.”
Article courtesy of Mandla Hlatswayo from the Citizen.
https://www.citizen.co.za/soweto-urban/news-headlines/2018/05/13/mothers-day-nothing-special-moms-burn-victims/
