As we age, our skin changes, becoming thinner, drier and more prone to injury. Moving quickly becomes more difficult and our memory may serve us with less loyalty than it once did. Many medications also have side effects causing sleepiness, dizziness, or shaking. This combination of factors can be a recipe for disaster when it comes to leaving food cooking on the stove, blowing out lit candles, spilling hot foods or drinks, falling asleep with a lit cigarette, falling in a hot tub or shower or other possible scenarios for burns.
With these dangers in mind, preventative measures should be made by you or by home care services to avoid burn injuries. Scald burns, which are the most commonly treated type of burn, happen while cooking, eating and bathing. The best preventative practices suggested by senior support services are to turn pot handles in when cooking at the stove, use the back burners whenever possible, and keep a 3-foot zone of safety around the stove and oven to allow for a safe work space. Set a kitchen timer to remind you of when your food is ready and burners and ovens can be turned off. Always give food and drinks enough time to cool before consuming them. Also when cooking, be sure to use microwave safe cookware with covers that allow steam to escape in the microwave and use a lid or splash guard to prevent grease splatter when frying. To prevent burns from a running faucet or bathtub, set the water heater temperature to no more than 120 degrees and do not adjust the knob to the hottest setting to wait for the water to get hot enough. Senior support services suggest that the safest way to check bath water temperature is using a thermometer, not hands or feet.
Electrical burns are another real danger for seniors. Avoid overloading a single outlet by using a power strip when plugging in multiple devices, and never plug extension cords into power strips. Appliances should always be plugged directly into a wall outlet and the condition of electrical cords should be checked routinely. Cords that are cracked, broken or spark when used should be replaced or discarded immediately. Always disconnect electrical appliances by pulling on the plug and not the cord.
Sunburn is another common burn that is especially dangerous for seniors, even if spending only a short time in the sun. Seniors support services suggest keeping the outdoors safe and enjoyable by wearing sunscreen that protects from ultraviolet A (UVA) and B (UVB) sunlight, is water resistant, and has an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or higher. Always apply sunscreen to the skin at least 30 minutes before going outdoors and reapply every 1-2 hours and after swimming, sweating, or exercising. Limit your time in the sun, staying indoors between 10am and 4pm when the sun is strongest or wear sunglasses with UV protection, a hat, long sleeves, and pants or a long skirt when it is necessary to be exposed to the sun.
If you do suffer a burn, know what to do for safety and treatment. If your clothes are on fire, stop, drop and roll to put the fire out and immediately remove the burned clothing, unless it is burned to the skin, in which case you should leave it as it is. Use cool (not cold) water on burnt skin. Do not apply ice or any kind of cream, ointment, butter, toothpaste or homemade remedy. Cover the burn with a clean, dry cloth and seek medical attention immediately. While the risk of burns increases with age, knowing how to prevent burns and how to treat them can give seniors peace of mind
