STOP, DROP and ROLL
Nine year old Daniel Simmons was pouring gasoline into a hot lawn mower late one afternoon. A spark occurred which ignited the gasoline. Daniel panicked and spilled gasoline on his clothes. The flames from the mower ignited the clothing on Daniel's legs and stomach.

Daniel began to run. His brother Jamie, age 11, knocked Daniel to the ground to start the " STOP, DROP AND ROLL" technique he learned at his elementary school. Daniel again tried to get up but Jamie once again knocked him to the ground. He then grabbed the cover from a nearby gas grill and wrapped Daniel up in the cover, extinguishing the flames. Jamie then yelled for their father and they carried Daniel into the house, placed him under the shower and turned the water on him. He was treated at the hospital for burns on 21 percent of his body.

Without the use of the "STOP, DROP AND ROLL" technique, Daniel would have suffered far greater burns, probably fatal.

Teach your children to "STOP, DROP AND ROLL" if their clothing catches on fire. Ask them to demonstrate and have them practice. They will enjoy the game while learning a lifesaving technique. When children panic they will do what they have practiced, not necessarily what they have been told.

In young children, the most frequent cause of burns is HOT LIQUIDS. Kids like to explore, climb, grab and poke. They grow up so fast that you may not realize what new things they can reach and pull down on themselves. A pan of hot water or a pot of coffee can cause extremely serious burns.

Our Engine Company once responded to a three year old burn victim who had a pot of coffee spilled on him at a church social. Large sheets of skin were hanging off his arms and chest. He required extensive surgeries and a long painful stay in a burn center.

In the blink of an eye, children can receive very serious burns from hot liquids. Keep children away from hot liquids and keep hot liquids under constant watch when children are present. Here is a list of common hazards:

• STOVES:  Use the back burners instead of the front ones. Keep pot handles turned in.



• HOT DRINKS:  Don't leave them unattended. Set containers back from the edge of tables and counters.



• ELECTRIC CORDS:  Keep appliances and electric cords far back away from counter edges.



• BATH WATER:  Test water with your wrist before placing children in the tub. Keep your hot water heater set low.



• LOOK where children are before carrying a hot liquid. Don't let them play in the kitchen.

If children are burned, the most important action is to put cold water on the skin FAST. Cooling the burn will greatly reduce the severity of the final injury. Next, remove clothing (if not sticking to the skin) and wrap the burn loosely in clean cloth. Seek medical care for all but minor burns.

Remember:  An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.