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Burn Awareness

February 2–8, 2025, is National Burn Awareness Week, a time set aside each year for organizations and educators to unite in sharing a common burn awareness and prevention message.

This week also kicks off our year-round Be Burn Aware campaign, which focuses on preventing burn injuries in the home, where most preventable burn injuries occur. Our children’s activity books, information on basic home safety for adults, and tip sheets are available to download or order. The materials are designed to be a resource to firefighters, teachers, parents and others concerned with the safety and well-being of children.

Since the 1960s, Shriners Children’s has been a leader in burn care, research and education — and burn injury prevention is a key component in these efforts. Let's work together to STOP burn injuries!

Please be safe…Be Burn Aware!

Burn Care at Shriners Children's

At Shriners Hospitals for Children, we regularly treat all types of burns and skin conditions. No two patients are the same, and we understand that an effective treatment plan is one tailored to fit the child's individual needs.
View Transcript
Fran Farley, MD:
Shriners Children's expertise in pediatric burn care extends to all levels of burn and burn reconstruction. We are internationally renowned and respected in this area. Our specialty care also extends to wound care, scar management and a variety of serious skin conditions. We have a strong history of providing medical care for children across the globe, and responding quickly to tragedies involving children whenever and wherever they occur.

Katie Maggi, RN:
Our burn patients are typically very healthy and they have an event, an injury that can sometimes change their course for a while. But if we do our job really well, then they go back to being a healthy kid.

David Greenhalgh, MD:
We like to focus on cosmetic functional outcomes and really take the extra effort to make sure not only do the kids survive, they look as good as possible, they function as good as possible. It's amazing, you learn how tough these kids are to go through this huge stress and come out and survive.

Fran Farley, MD:
In addition to the Shriners Children's location that treat children with burn injuries, we have medical go teams ready to assist when disasters and emergencies occur. Our world-renowned burn teams rely on the most up-to-date scientific and clinical research to deliver unparalleled treatment and therapies.

Branko Bojovic, MD:
In general, we take care of most of the umbrella of things under plastic surgery that would be considered reconstructive, second degree burn injuries in particular. We become very good at putting together the full use of all the capabilities that we have here in the hospital, but also including new technologies and old technologies that we've used to sort of marry them together to really get kids the best results that we can in the shortest amount and least number of operations possible.

Fran Farley, MD:
Burn and skin related support services at Shriners Children's are innovative, research-backed, and delivered with compassion and in a way that also fosters emotional wellbeing and psychological healing.

Fran Farley, MD:
You are not alone when looking for the best treatment options for burn care or skin conditions. I encourage you to explore the care options Shriners Children's offers. Learn about our innovative approach to medicine and our internationally recognized doctors. I truly believe there isn't a healthcare system out there like ours.


Burn Prevention Materials

Have fun while learning about burn prevention with Boots N' Brewster. Our complimentary burn prevention materials include age-appropriate activity books, posters, fact cards and tip sheets. Our tip sheets can be downloaded and printed. Other materials are available through our online ordering system.

Download and Print Tip Sheet

Our Be Burn Aware tip sheet provides practical advice on fire and burn prevention during the holidays and throughout the year.

Download Tip Sheet

Order Burn Prevention Materials

In our activity books for ages 3–7 and 8–12, Boots N' Brewster lead children through the various rooms of a house, pointing out dangers and how to easily correct or avoid them. The booklets also have pages for families to map out a home fire escape plan. You may also order posters and safety cards.

We accept orders for delivery within the United States, Canada and Mexico only. Please allow up to two weeks for delivery. For more information, contact the Shriners Children's marketing and communications department by sending an email or calling 813-281-8162.

Online Ordering System

Burn Awareness Activity Sheet

A fun scavenger hunt idea and activity to help your children learn about household items that are hot or not.

Download Activity Sheet (en) (esp) (fr)

Boots N' Brewster: The Burn Awareness Pair

View Transcript

Audience:

Ooh! Aah! Ooh!

Boots:

Brewster! Phew! That was close. You shouldn't run or play in the... Whoa! You shouldn't run or play in the kitchen especially when someone's cooking, you can get burned by the stove or the oven. It's important to keep pots, pans, and electrical cords away from the edge of the counter. You may knock one over and get shocked! In fact, all appliances should be kept at a safe distance.

Boots:

Brewster. The microwave is only used for food, which we should place in a microwave safe container. Well I guess that's food, Brewster. If only we had some toast. Brewster! Shouldn't you check the water temperature before you get in? Remember Brewster, water above 120 degrees can cause serious burns. When filling the tub, turn on cold water first and then add hot until it's just right. Be sure to sit on the opposite side of the tap away from the faucets. And you should never use electronics near water. Isn't that right? Brewster!

Boots:

Electrical appliances near water can be just as dangerous as fire. Even the hairdryer, Brewster. You're going to have to wait until you get out of the tab. Brewster! What are you doing? This red can contains gasoline. Don't ever play with it, especially around open flames or matches. It is only supposed to be used to fuel real engines, it should never be used for any other purpose. In fact, it should never be stored inside the home. If you ever smell gasoline vapors, leave the area and tell an adult. Remember, gasoline is flammable.

Boots:

And if an emergency does occur, make sure you know your family's fire escape plan. Fire escape plan. Fire escape plan. You should have two exits from each room and a designated meeting place at a safe distance. Also, ask your parents if your home has smoke detectors. And remember to always call 911 emergency! What is that beeping sound? Oh. I guess he was listening to the fire escape plan after all.

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Compassionate, innovative care that improves the quality of life for children and their families.

Be Burn Aware

Year-round burn prevention

Be Burn Aware

Every day, hundreds of children are taken to emergency rooms with burn injuries. Learn how you can prevent injuries from fires, scalds, electrical sources and other risks in the home.

Flame image with awareness ribbon

Electrical Safety

In 2014–2018, electrical distribution or lighting equipment (wiring, lighting, cords, and plugs), were involved in an estimated average of roughly 34,000 reported home structure fires per year. These incidents caused an average of 470 civilian deaths and 1,100 civilian injuries.

Remembering a few basic safety tips can help keep you and your children safe.

Download Be Safe Around Electricity tip sheet

Child near electrical plug of portable air unit

Fire Safety

Most home fires and fire casualties result from: cooking, heating equipment, electrical distribution and lighting equipment, intentional fire setting, and smoking materials

Fires and burns are the third leading cause of deaths that occur in the home, the third-leading cause of injury-related fatalities among children ages 1–9, and the fourth most prevalent cause for children ages 10–14 in the U.S. Many could be prevented by following some prevention tips and precautions.

Download Keep Children from Fire tip sheet

Candles starting a fire around centerpiece

Home Safety

Shriners Children's wants children and families to "Be Burn Aware," especially at home.

Thousands of children sustain burn injuries in their homes every year. Many of these injuries could have been prevented. Here are some safety tips to help keep your children – and you – safe at home.

Download Safety Begins at Home tip sheet

Child touching household cleaning bottles

Scald Safety

Scald burns (caused by hot liquids, steam or foods) are the most common burn injury among children ages 4 and younger. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, fire/burn-related injuries are among the leading 10 causes of unintentional injury in children ages 0 to 5, with children under 2 being at greatest risk.

Many of these burns could have been prevented.

Download Keep Children Safe From Scalds Tip sheet

Small child looking up at pan handle on stove

We Understand the Unique Medical Needs of Children

We provide vital, pioneering treatment from birth to age 18. Here, children have the opportunity to be evaluated and treated by doctors recognized as the best by their peers.
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