As many of us look forward to our favorite fall festivals and enjoying Halloween celebrations, this is also the time when everyone who enjoys seasonal bonfires and the pleasant smell of burning leaves needs to remember to be as careful as possible to avoid burn injuries.
Each year serious injuries are the result of the negligent use of gasoline, kerosene and other accelerants that can turn a pleasant occasion into a reason for panic. Doctors and nurses at the Richard M. Fairbanks Burn Center at Eskenazi Health urge residents of Central Indiana to use caution when starting any outdoor fire and to never use accelerants to fuel them.
The National Park Service says that nearly 85 percent of wildland fires in the U.S. start because of negligent humans, and burning of debris like fallen leaves and trash ranks among the top human errors that cause wildfires.
Leaf burning may seem like the most expedient way to clean up the fall lawn, but your local government might feel differently, so be sure to check with local agencies before setting any fires to be rid of leafs and unsightly brush.
Burning leaves and brush can harm your health, especially in an enclosed area, and can cause asthma, bronchitis, itchy eyes, headaches and runny nose, and even life-threatening complications.
This time of year the Richard M. Fairbanks Burn Center regularly sees an increase in severe and life-altering injuries resulting from individuals not paying attention while using dangerous accelerants while burning brush, leaves and garbage. Unfortunately, individuals in a hurry to create a larger fire many times learn the hard way that careless mistakes result in horrific injuries.
Again accelerants such as propane, kerosene, turpentine, ethanol, methanol, gasoline or other extremely flammable liquids should never be added to a fire.
Always be certain to use caution when lighting a charcoal grill that requires an accelerant to light coals. After the coals have been soaked in the starter fluid, wait a few minutes before lighting them to allow the vapors to dissipate. Use a protective mitt when lighting, and keep children away and never add more starter fluid once the coals have been lit. If you’re fueling a grill by using propane, the container should be used strictly according to specifications.
Make sure accelerants are always stored in your garage or home in well-ventilated areas to allow fumes to dissipate. Fumes and flammable liquids can instantly catch fire when ignited by a spark or flame. Gasoline should only be stored in small quantities in labeled gasoline-approved containers away from the house and with a fire extinguisher nearby.
Prior to starting an outdoor fire, we suggest following these safety tips:
• Only burn dry material.
• Keep outdoor fires away from buildings, fences, telephone wires and trees.
• Avoid lighting fires on windy or dry days.
• Keep a bucket of water or garden hose nearby.
• Keep children and pets at a safe distance.
• Put out the fire completely with water before leaving it.
If a fire becomes out of control or someone sustains an injury from fire, call 911 immediately.
The Richard M. Fairbanks Burn Center at Eskenazi Health is verified by The American Burn Association (ABA) and the American College of Surgeons, and is recognized as one of the finest and most progressive burn centers in the United States. The Richard M. Fairbanks Burn Center is the only verified adult burn center in Indiana. For more information on burn prevention, please call the Richard M. Fairbanks Burn Center’s burn prevention hotline at 1-866-339-BURN.
Nydia Nunez-Estrada, M.D.
Family Medicine Specialist with Eskenazi Health Center North Arlington