FAMILIES, especially with children, need to be aware of the danger of burns.

Hereford and Worcester Fire Service believe that it is important to know how to prevent burns and what to do if they happen.

The latest figures from the Children’s Burns Trust and The British Burn Association show that in 2016 more than 6,000 children were burned or scalded.

This figure only relates to the more serious burns that required admission to a hospital burns unit and more than half of these were children under the age of 5 years old.

“The vast majority of burn injuries are accidents, and most are entirely avoidable. Hot drinks are the most common cause of scald injury in children, followed by contact with electric cookers, irons and hair straighteners,” said Station Commander Stuart Crebbin.

“We also wanted to take this opportunity to remind parents and carers to only buy fancy dress costumes from reputable retailers and to always check the label – clothing will always burn if in contact with naked flames but some faster than others.”

If anyone suffers burns it should be run under a cold tap for 20 minutes and any clothing or jewellery should be removed unless it is melted or stuck to the wound. The advice is to cover a wound with cling film or a sterile with cling film or a sterile, non-fluffy dressing or cloth. Make sure the patient is kept warm.