The first thing that comes to mind, when people think of summer is
usually the hot weather. Indeed, the months of July, August, and even
September are often known for scorching temperatures. But did you know
that the summer months are also prime time for burn injuries? To keep
you and your family ouch-free this summer, be careful when dealing
with these common causes of summer burn injuries:
One of the best parts of summer is having friends and family over for
a barbecue. Just throw some burgers and sweet corn on the grill, and
you have a party! While you may think you are the grill master, it is
important to remember that each year numerous people suffer serious
burn injuries caused by charcoal or gas grills. To avoid burning more
than your hamburger buns, remember to store and handle dangerous items
like propane tanks and lighter fluid properly. Also, much like a pot
on the stove, a grill should never be left unattended.
Campfires. Summer for many families means spending time in the great
outdoors. Camping is a great way to connect with nature and escape the
hectic pace of life. Plus, what could be better for dinner than
roasting a hot dog over an open fire? If you like to cook outdoors, be
sure to brush up on campfire safety before you embark for your next
trip. An out of control fire can cause a nasty burn injury and damage
to the surrounding Also, never head to bed until you completely
extinguish the fire.
Fire Pits. What could make for a more perfect end to a summer evening
than sitting by the glow of a fire? The heat from the fire is just
enough to keep warm on a chilly evening, and the smoke keeps the
mosquitos at bay. All of which makes a fire pit a great place to
create summer memories. But you want your memories to be of fun not of
flames! To keep your deck and your home from going up in smoke, make
sure that the fire pit is set up on a solid surface and away from
combustible items. Also, when selecting wood to burn, do not use soft
woods like pine, which can pop and cause sparks to fly.
But not all burns are caused by fire! Sunburns are burns caused by UVB
rays. These rays can cause significant damage to the skin and even
cause illness. Do not be afraid to see a medical professional for a
sunburn that 1) covers a large area of the body and has blisters, 2)
is accompanied by symptoms of nausea, vomiting, chills, high fever,
confusion, dehydration or severe pain, 4) shows signs of a skin
infection, or 5) is not responding well to at home treatments.
Fireworks are another cause of burn injuries during the summer months.
Failing to light a firework properly or attempting to relight or pick
up a firework that did not ignite are common causes of serious
firework-related burn injuries. Keep in mind that children, pets, and
combustible objects should need to kept at a safe distance from
fireworks.
If you or a loved one suffered a serious burn injury due to the
negligence or recklessness of another, it is important to know that
you have legal options. The Kansas City Catastrophic Injury Attorneys
at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. have helped countless injury victims, in
both Kansas and Missouri, obtain compensation for their injuries. Our
caring team of attorneys will take the time to listen to you and
carefully review the facts of your case. To schedule an initial
consultation with one of our experienced Kansas City Attorneys,
contact Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. today at (816) 472-4673. At Hubbard &
Kurtz, L.L.P we are dedicated to helping injury victims!
