February 6 to 12 is National Burn Awareness Week, which is recognized each year during the first full week in February.

According to the American Burn Association, every year:

• 500,000 burn injury victims receive medical treatment
• 40,000 burn injury victims are hospitalized
• 4,000 fire and burn injury victims die

Between 1995 and 2005:

• 70% of patients admitted to burn centers were male
• Over 1/3 of patients admitted to burn centers had received burns exceeding 10% of the total body surface area
• 46% of the burns were caused by fire/flame
• 32% of the burns were caused by scalding
• 43% of the burns occurred at home

A serious burn is about the worst kind of injury you can receive. It’s incredibly painful and can take years of rehabilitation.

Here are 10 ways workers can prevent burn injuries in the workplace and at home.

In the workplace, burn hazards include hot surfaces, hot liquids, vapors and solids, fires and explosions, compressed gases such as nitrogen and propane, and chemicals that cause burns on contact with the skin.

To prevent burns in the workplace:

1. Practice good housekeeping; scattered debris is a likely place for a fire to start.
2. Keep sparks and open flames away from combustible and flammable materials.
3. Maintain and use electrical equipment in a safe manner to prevent fires and electrical burns.
4. Store and handle chemicals correctly and according to directions. Read labels and the MSDS for any chemicals you work with.
5. Place oily or solvent-soaked rags in approved, covered metal containers.

To prevent burns at home:

1. Keep your house fire-safe. Make sure it is well-maintained to reduce the chance of fires caused by electrical malfunctions and accumulations of combustible debris.
2. Use chemicals safely. For instance, many home and hobby projects involve the use of solvents. Be sure to use and store them correctly to prevent fires and explosions. Some chemicals such as household cleaners can cause chemical burns, so be sure to follow the directions for handling and storage. Keep these materials in the original containers with labels.
3. Keep tap water at a safe temperature by setting the thermostat on the hot water heater to no more than 130 Fahrenheit (55 Celsius). Children and elderly persons are particularly at risk of injury caused by scalding hot tap water.
4. The kitchen is a common scene for burn injuries. Keep pot handles turned inward on the stove and don't leave cooking unattended. Use insulated mitts and pot holders for handling hot pots.
5. Microwave cooking can cause foods to become extremely hot, even to the point of exploding. Use caution when removing items from the microwave.

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