Risk management
Risk management
Feature
Be burns aware
Lottie Armitage and Vicky Dudman share some hints and tips on occupational therapy and our role in preventing burns and scalds .
B urn and scald injuries are the fourth most common trauma in the UK , affecting on average 250,000 adults and children annually ( NICE 2023 ). The resultant impact from these injuries can be life changing , causing both physical and psychological effects that alter longer-term engagement into occupation .
The cost-of-living crisis has further exacerbated accidental injury occurrences , with people choosing cheaper options to save money , yet unwittingly placing their lives and futures at risk .
Injuries resulting from a burn or scald do not discriminate in terms of age , gender , background or pre-existing health status . Some examples of common causes of accidental burns are hot water bottles bursting , falling and lying against radiators and children pulling down hot cups of liquid onto themselves .
The good news is that injuries such as these can be prevented and the occupational therapy profession is well placed to support this , especially as we often look at risk management in our service users ’ lives to support the enablement of desired activity in their familiar environments .
This is a principle underpinned by the Care Act ( 2014 ), which outlines that we must act proactively rather than await a crisis point ( RCOT 2016 ), which for those who have sustained a burn injury can be irrevocable .
Every October in the UK sees a National Burns Awareness Day , to raise awareness and promote prevention of burn injuries , with people invited to # BeBurnsAware .
The following ( not exhaustive ) tips and strategies for occupational therapists and service users include :
• Ensure there is working smoke detection in the home .
• Educate families about risks of hot liquid , including keeping cups out of children ’ s reach and using back hob rings with handles turned away .
• Keep electrical cords out of the way to prevent them being pulled or being tripped over .
• For people who may fall , consider how they may call for help , such as pendant alarms , to prevent long lies against hot radiators .
• Use wheat packs rather than hot water bottles to minimise risk of scalding liquid , however …
• If using a hot water bottle then follow the safety tips – check it has the ‘ flower ’ mark and replace every three to four years , and before filling with warm ( not boiling ) water check it has no leaks by using cold first and only then use with a cover and do not to sit or lie on them .
• Charge any electric scooters and bikes outside and only in the daytime .
• You can also check with the local fire service about what they may provide , as some areas have home safety checks and other resources that you or your service user can make use of .
For the times prevention doesn ’ t work , please remember first aid tips of ‘ Cool ’ ‘ Call ’ and ‘ Cover ’. If you ever need advice and support , don ’ t hesitate to contact your local burns service , including about how to support patients with burns care management .
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence ( 2023 ) Burns and scalds . Available at : https :// bit . ly / 48MwvZy [ accessed 19 September 2023 ].
Royal College of Occupational Therapists ( 2016 ) Care Act 2014 : Guidance for occupational therapists – prevention 2016 . Available at https :// bit . ly / 487UD7Sn [ accessed 6 February 2024 ].
Words LOTTIE ARMITAGE , and VICKY DUDMAN , Senior Occupational Therapists , St . Andrews Centre for Burns and Plastics , lottiearmitage @ nhs . net or
Victoria . dudman @ nhs . net . The date of the next BBA National Burns Awareness Day will be Wednesday 16 October 2024
February 2024 OTnews 45