Oak Bay Fire Department 
1703 Monterey Avenue, Oak Bay B.C. V8R 5V6 (250) 592-9121 
Email:  obfire@oakbay.ca       Fax:  (250) 598-2749

News Release

Date: April 27, 2015                                                        OBFD file # 2015-16

For Immediate Release:
Weekly Media Release for Monday, April 20, 2015 to Sunday, April 26, 2015.  Over the past week, Oak Bay Fire Department members responded to 18 calls for assistance. 
These calls for assistance include:

11 – Medical First Responder Requests 
 1 – Commercial / Residential Alarm Activations 
 2 – Motor Vehicle Incident 
 3 – Public Assistance 
 1 – Marine Rescue

Burns and Scalds Prevention Tips

Childproof Your Electrical Outlets and Appliances

• Keep appliance cords out of children's reach, especially if the appliances produce a lot of heat.
• Cover electrical outlets so that children are unable to insert metal objects, such as forks or keys.
• Keep an eye on appliances such as irons, curling irons or hair dryers that can heat up quickly or stay warm after use. Unplug these items after you're done.
• Don't carry or hold a child while cooking on the stove. Instead, move a high chair in the kitchen within reach or sight before you start. Then talk to your children so they know what's going on. It's a great way to spend time together.

Check to Make Sure the Water Temperature Is Just Right

• With everything going on, we know the water heater is the last thing on your mind. But a small change can give you one less thing to worry about. To prevent accidental scalding, set your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or the manufacturer's recommended setting.
• Consider installing anti-scald devices in water faucets and showerheads to avoid potential burns.
• Check the water with your wrist or elbow before giving your baby a bath.

Use the Back Burner and Oven Mitts

• Kids love to reach, so to prevent hot food or liquid spills, simply use the back burner of your stove and turn pot handles away from the edge. Keep hot foods away from the edge of your counters.
• Use oven mitts or potholders and keep hot foods and liquids away from table and counter edges. Be careful if your oven mitt is wet; when combined with heat, the moisture can cause scalds.
• Slowly open containers that have been in the microwave, as steam can burn little fingers and faces.

Engage Older Kids in Cooking

• Teach older responsible kids how to cook safely. It will make your life easier if your kids can cook some of their own meals (and maybe yours, too). Teach them never to leave the kitchen while they are using the stove or oven. Don't forget that the number one cause of home fires is unattended cooking.
• Don't allow children to use a microwave by themselves until they are tall enough to reach it safely and are able to understand that steam can cause burns.
• Instruct older kids to use oven mitts or potholders to remove items from the oven or stove and teach them how to use a microwave safely.

Be Careful With the Microwave

• Microwaves can heat unevenly and create hot spots, so avoid using them to heat baby formula or baby milk.
• Heat bottles by placing them in warm water, and make sure they have cooled to the appropriate temperature before feeding your baby.

First aid for scalds and burns

Follow these steps for a child with a scald:

1. Make sure the area is safe, and that there’s no further risk of injury. Take the child to a safe place if possible.
2. Take off the child’s clothing immediately, but only if it isn’t stuck to the skin. Remove any watches or jewellery the child is wearing – but only if you can do so without causing any more pain or injury.
3. Treat the burn with cold tap water only. Cool the burned area under running cold tap water for 20 minutes. This will reduce tissue damage and pain. This can be done for up to three hours after the burn. Hold the child to provide comfort and warmth.
4. Cover the burn using a clean dressing or cling wrap. Seek medical assistance.

Call an ambulance if the burn is:

• to the face, airway, neck or genital area
• larger than the size of the child’s hand.

Definitely go to the doctor or to a hospital or medical centre if:

• the burn or scald is the size of a 20-cent piece or larger
• the burn looks raw, angry or blistered
• the burn is deep, even if the child doesn’t seem to feel any pain
• the pain persists or is severe.

If you’re not sure how severe the burn is, contact a doctor, hospital or medical centre immediately