DCA joins the American Burn Association (ABA) in recognizing National Burn Awareness Week which focuses on preventing burn injuries, which remain a significant risk in construction due to welding, electrical work, and exposure to flammable materials.

Despite increased awareness, burn injuries remain a significant public and occupational health issue, with more than 398,000 people seeking medical care for burns in the United States in 2021 (CDC). The electrical trade has higher rates of burn injuries than other professions while chemical burns and thermal burns can be a risk for DCA member company employees at a wide range of jobs sites and trades.

DCA encourages you to take National Burn Awareness week to evaluate burn risks at work and home.

At work:

Take the week to look at your current job sites and ensure your team reviews burn safety protocols, provide trainings on proper equipment use, and ensure that first aid kits are stocked with burn treatment supplies. Promoting burn safety can help reduce workplace injuries and improve overall job site safety. You can read about OSHA Fire Prevention Plans (FPP) here: https://www.osha.gov/etools/evacuation-plans-procedures/emergency-standards/fire-prevention

Delaware specific fire prevention regulations can be found here: https://regulations.delaware.gov/AdminCode/title1/700/

At home:

Burn risks are present in every living space, from homes to apartments to temporary shelters. Home burn injuries occur most frequently in the kitchen (connected to cooking) and the bathroom (improper hot water heater settings). See the bottom of this note for some Household burn prevention tips.

Sometimes safety planning and tips can be easy to tune out or sound like common sense. Let’s all take this week to make sure our worksites in Delaware and beyond as well as our families at home are prepared with burn prevention and treatment plans and supplies.

Burn Prevention Activities at home:

Following this checklist to keep your home, community, and loved ones safe:

• Test Smoke Alarms & Replace Batteries – Ensure your alarms are functional and everyone in your home knows the sound of an alert.
• Review & Practice Your Fire Escape Plan – Make sure you know multiple exit routes and practice your escape plan with your family.
• Check & Learn to Use Your Fire Extinguisher – Keep your fire extinguisher easily accessible, and make sure everyone knows how to use it.
• Clear Flammable Materials Away from Heat Sources – Move any items that could catch fire from stoves, space heaters, and electrical outlets.
• Commit to Kitchen Safety – Never leave cooking food unattended. Use timers, keep handles turned inward, and always stay close when cooking.
• Inspect Electrical Cords & Outlets – Make sure cords are undamaged, and never overload outlets.
• Check Heating Devices for Safety – Regularly inspect space heaters and keep them away from flammable items like fabrics or paper.

DCA this week:

Thanks to those members who came into DCA this week for committees, working groups or just to meet. We are working with our committees and board to develop a legislative plan and agenda for the upcoming months as well as monitoring proposed bills and regulations that impact Delaware. We are only as strong as our membership involvement, so please work within all your companies to get interested parties involved in committees of interest here at DCA. Have a great weekend.