Reducing the risk and burden of burn
It is estimated that each year, over 300000 people die from fire-related burn injuries and many other die from scalds (hot liquids), electricity, chemical burns like acid and other forms of burns. Millions more suffer from burn-related disabilities and disfigurements, many of which are permanent that impinges huge physical, economical burden, discrimination and social rejection. The vast majority (over 95%) of fire-related burns occur in low- and middle-income countries and fire-related mortality rates are highest in South-East Asia that includes Bangladesh. These deaths are tragic because many of those are preventable with reducing risk factors, awareness, legislation and proper burn management. Risk factors for burn injury differ according to region, but typically include alcohol and smoking, use of open fires for space heating, use of ground level stoves for cooking, the wearing of long, loose-fitting clothing while cooking and sub-standard electrical wiring. Burn from acid-throwing is a form of violence has become tragically common in Bangladesh. In Bangladesh, this is often done by intimate male partners or by would-be suitors who have felt rejected. Prevention strategies should address the hazards for specific burn injuries, education for vulnerable populations and training of communities in first aid. In addition, experts from World Health Organisation (WHO) provide a number of specific recommendations for individuals, communities and public health officials to reduce burn risk. * Enclose fires and limit the height of open flames in domestic environments. * Promote safer cookstoves and less hazardous fuels, and educate regarding loose clothing. * Apply safety regulations to housing designs and materials, and encourage home inspections. * Improve the design of cookstoves, particularly with regard to stability and prevention of access by children. * Lower the temperature in hot water taps. * Promote fire safety education and the use of smoke detectors, fire sprinklers, and fire-escape systems in homes. * Promote the introduction of and compliance with industrial safety regulations, and the use of fire-retardant fabrics for children's sleep-wear. * Avoid smoking in bed and encourage the use of child-resistant lighters. * Promote legislation mandating the production of fire-safe cigarettes and strict implementation of laws to prevent acid throwing. * Improve treatment of epilepsy, particularly in developing countries. * Encourage further development of burn-care systems, including the training of health-care providers in the appropriate triage and management of people with burns. * Support the development and distribution of fire-retardant aprons to be used while cooking around an open flame or kerosene stove. High-income countries have made considerable progress in lowering rates of burn deaths, through a combination of prevention strategies and improvements in the care of people affected by burns. Most of these advances in prevention and care have been incompletely applied in low- and middle-income countries. Increased efforts to do so would likely lead to significant reductions in rates of burn-related death and disability. Source: World Health Organisation
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