Akron Children’s burn doctor offers summer safety tips

You can have fun and be safe while outside this summer.

From cookouts to campfires, summer can be a potentially dangerous time of year. Here are some safety tips from Dr. Anjay Khandelwal, division chief of burn surgery and adult critical care at Akron Children’s, to keep your kids safe this summer.

 Grilling

July is the peak month for grill fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association. “About 10,000 grill fires occur annually in the United States,” Dr. Khandelwal said, “and roughly 5,000 burn injuries occur.”

Here are some safety tips to keep everyone safe around grills:

• Check for gas leaks before you fire up the grill.
• Never use a grill indoors or in an enclosed space like a garage or tent.
• Designate a “kid-free zone.” Keep kids and pets at least 3-5 feet away from the grill.

Bonfires and campfires

“Bonfires and campfires are deceptively dangerous, especially when accelerants like gasoline or lighter fluid are involved,” Dr. Khandelwal explained. “Campfires and fire pits are responsible for over 5,000 U.S. emergency room visits annually, and most are pediatric hand burns. Kids under age 5 are at the highest risk.”

Fire-related safety tips include:

• Do not play with a firepit, bonfire or campfire if you are under the influence of alcohol or other substances.
• Never use accelerants to start or reignite fires.
• Fully extinguish fires with water, not dirt.
• Treat ashes as hot for up to 24 hours after a fire. The American Burn Association reports 70% of campfire burns are caused by embers rather than flames.
• Install screens around fire pits when possible.
• Just like with the grill, establish a kid-free zone around the fire. Keep kids and pets at least 3-5 feet away.
• If kids want to make s’mores, properly supervise them. Make sure kids do not fling hot marshmallows around.

Dr. Anjay Khandelwal

Fireworks

The Independence Day holiday is over, but you may still have fireworks around the house. “Fireworks are not toys,” Dr. Dr. Khandelwal warned. “Over 35% of firework-related injuries happen to kids under 15. Even sparklers are dangerous, as they burn at 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit and are hot enough to melt metal.”

If you use consumer fireworks, remember to:

• Always supervise children.
• Keep a bucket of water or fire extinguisher handy.
• Light one firework at a time, and never try to relight a “dud.”
• Do not use fireworks under the influence.

“With proper planning and diligence around fire,” Dr. Khandelwal said, “you can keep your family safe and have a fun summer.”