Burn Facts

Burn injuries, which have reached epidemic proportions in recent years, are considered a health care problem which is more serious than the polio epidemic was at its peak. It has only been in the past several years that the medical profession has begun to recognize and understand the problems associated with burns. In the 1950s there were less than 10 hospitals in the United States that specialized in burns. Since that time, there has been significant advancement in understanding the problem of burn injuries and there are now about 200 special burn care centers in the United States.

Burn accident statistics show that at least 50% of all burn accidents can be prevented. For example, one of every 13 structure fire deaths in the United States was caused by a child setting a fire. Children playing with fire account for more than one-third of preschool child deaths by fire. The following information regarding burn injuries has been compiled:

• In the United States, approximately 2.4 million burn injuries are reported per year. Approximately 650,000 of the injuries are treated by medical professionals; 75,000 are hospitalized. Of those hospitalized, 20,000 have major burns involving at least 25% of their total body surface. Between 8,000 and 12,000 of patients
  
  • with burns die, and approximately one million will sustain substantial or permanent disabilities resulting from their burn injury. (Journal of Burn Care & Rehabilitation, May/June 1992)

  (Note: These statistics are for the United States only and just take into account burn injuries that are reported. Many burns, for which people seek relief, go un-reported, such as sunburns, minor scalds, match burns, iron burns, curling iron burns, burns from coffee, etc.)

  

  • Burn injuries are second to motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause of accidental death in the United States.
  • The Bureau of Labor Statistics published the following burn statistics for 1992:
  • 41,000 heat burns resulted in an average of four lost days of work each. Breakdowns of industrial burns were as follows: 16,500 retail trade; 9,500 manufacturing; 8,600 service industry (such as restaurants).
  • 15,700 chemical burns resulted in an average of two lost days of work each. Breakdowns were as follows: 5,800 manufacturing (such as chemical manufacturers); 3,200 service industry; 2,600 retail industry.
  • Children, ages newborn to two-years-old, are most frequently admitted for emergency burn care in a hospital. The kitchen is the most frequent area within the home where burn injuries occur for children newborn to four years in age. The second most frequent area in which burns occur is in the bathroom.
    
    
    
    
  • From ages 5 to 74, most burn injuries occur outdoors with the next most frequent area being the kitchen.
  • From ages 75 and above, the kitchen is the most frequent area for burn injuries to occur, with outdoor fire accidents being next.
  • Burns and fires are the leading cause of accidental death in the home for children 14 and under and the third leading cause of accidental death for adults.
  • Scalds are the leading cause of accidental death in the home for children from birth to age four and are 40% of the burn injuries for children up to age 14.
  • The National Burn Information Exchange indicates that after the age of 60, the risk of burn injury is greater than at any time since childhood and the average size of the burn is larger than for any other age group.
  • The most common burn accidents for older adults are from flame or scalding, lighting trash fires or a furnace, bathing or falling asleep while smoking.
  • The National Fire Protection Agency found that the age group most likely to die in house fires are those 75 and older. High-voltage electric injuries account for approximately 3% of hospital admissions for
    • burn injuries.

    • Burns are one of the most expensive catastrophic injuries to treat. For example, a burn of 30% of total body area can cost as much as $200,000 in initial hospitalization costs and for physicians fees. For extensive burns, there are additional significant costs which will include costs for repeat admission for reconstruction and for rehabilitation…
      
      

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