Fire? Here's What You Need To Do Next

Have you ever burned dinner? I’m not talking about getting the chicken a little too charred or the fries a little too crispy. I mean have you ever burned dinner and the evening ends with the fire trucks showing up? If so, don’t feel bad, you are not alone. In my first two years of marriage, I had the fire trucks show up at my house on two separate occasions from cooking-related efforts. Subsequently thereafter, my wife banned me from my own kitchen for six months. It happens.

If you’re like me and have discovered the culinary field is not for you, there’s never been a better time to be alive with fast food options and delivery services like Grubhub and Uber Eats.

Cooking is the number one cause of fires started in homes. It also led to more injuries and was the second leading cause of death in residential areas.

The dangers of cooking are not just limited to family dinner time. 64% of all restaurant fires can be directly linked back to cooking and average $22,540 of damage per fire. Ouch.

While the property damage of any fire can be substantial, property can be replaced. Physical injuries are always the most devastating. If you are ever in a situation where someone has been burned, the burn will fall into one of three categories. Here’s what you should be looking for and how to handle the situation.

First-degree burns are the least serious. The affected skin may turn red and be painful. First aid involves:

1. Applying cool water or wrapped ice packs

2. Covering with a clean cloth or dressing

3. Taking aspirin or ibuprofen to relieve pain

Second-degree burns are more serious because the burn goes deeper. The affected skin will be red and blistered. First aid involves:

1. Removing clothing covering the burn, unless it’s stuck to the burned skin

2. Applying cool water or wrapped ice packs

3. Leaving blisters alone and not breaking them

4. Getting quick medical attention if the burn covers a large area or is on the face, hands or genitals

Third-degree burns are the most severe and may be life-threatening. The affected skin appears white or charred. You may see exposed bones and tendons. Third-degree burns require emergency medical treatment. Don’t try to treat third-degree burns or remove clothing that is stuck to the burned area. Instead:

1. Cover burned area lightly with a clean cloth

2. Elevate burned limbs

3. Call for emergency medical assistance

4. Watch for shock and administer first aid for this condition if necessary

Hopefully, you will never be in this situation. If you want to make sure that you and your home or business are protected from fire or other damages, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.