Electrical safety is focus of 2021 National Burn Awareness Week

By Clinton Courier | February 10, 2021 |

Get amped up for Burn Awareness Week by helping Mississippi’s only designated burn center raise awareness for electrical safety.

National Burn Awareness Week is observed the first full week of February and promotes safety education and burn prevention. This year, the American Burn Association (ABA) has dedicated the week to electrical safety from A to Z (from Amps to Zap). In a world driven by technology, Dr. William Lineaweaver, medical director of the Joseph M. Still Burn and Reconstructive Center at Merit Health Central in Jackson, MS, believes you can never be too careful when it comes to handling electrical devices and appliances.

“There isn’t just one way electricity causes injuries; there are multiple. Electrocution is usually the most severe but electrical products can cause anything from contact burns to fires. That’s why it’s so important to use them as directed,” he said.

Dr. Lineaweaver recommends the following tips when using electrical products:

Never use cords that are frayed or show signs of wear.
Ensure that all outlets have faceplates.
Never piggyback plugs. There should be no more than one plug in each receptacle and no more than two plugs per outlet.
When using heating appliances like coffeemakers, toasters, and space heaters, plug them directly into a wall outlet. They should be the only thing plugged into the outlet during use.
Large appliances like refrigerators, washers, dryers, microwave ovens, and air conditioners should be plugged directly into a wall outlet.
All light fixtures and lamps should have shades or globes.
Ensure all light bulbs are tightly screwed in, and they are the proper wattage for the light fixture.

Electrical injuries can happen to anyone in the family, regardless of age. The burn center treats young patients injured chewing on wires or sticking small objects into outlets too often for comfort. Though not always preventable, there are a few extra steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of electrical injury to little ones.

“Children, especially small children, are prone to grabbing, pulling, and chewing on anything within reach. Make sure all wires and cords are tucked away at all times and unplugged when they aren’t in use. And with young kids of any age, I would also advise installing socket covers. Between curiosity and internet dares, it’s never a bad idea to have something in place to discourage children from sticking foreign objects into live outlets,” said Dr. Lineaweaver.

Another important step toward electrical safety in in your home is the installation of circuit interrupters. Of all electrical fires, wiring and electrical distribution account for a majority of them. Circuit interrupters are essential to preventing these types of fire hazards, specifically arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) and ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). AFCIs automatically shut off the electricity under dangerous conditions, such as sparking or arcing due to loose or corroded wires. GFCIs protect against shock hazards, which is why they are normally installed in bathrooms, kitchens, garages, and basements. Working in tandem, these two types of circuit interrupters directly aid in preventing fires and electrical injuries.

“Don’t let the signs go unnoticed. If something seems off about an electrical product, don’t think you’re being paranoid. Electrical devices, appliances, and products can malfunction. Wires and cords can age. If you have any doubts, stop using it immediately and have it inspected by a professional,” said Dr. Lineaweaver.

Call an electrician as soon as possible if any of the following apply:

Your wall outlets look discolored or feel warm to the touch.
Your outlets spark when you plug in or unplug cords.
You smell a burning or rubbery smell around your appliances.
You experience a tingling feeling when you touch light switches.
Your lights frequently flicker or dim for no known reason.
You frequently have blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers.

About Merit Health

Merit Health serves the healthcare needs of residents of Mississippi through its 9 affiliated hospitals. The healthcare system offers a wide array of services including orthopedics, cardiology, women’s health, emergency departments and broad diagnostic medical and surgical services. The network has more than 1,800 licensed beds, more than 2,500 physicians on the combined active medical staffs, more than 3,000 employees, and more than 40,000 admissions and more than 250,000 emergency department visits each year.

About Burn & Reconstructive Centers of America

Burn and Reconstructive Centers of America is the largest network of burn care in the United States with 16 locations in 9 states. Each year, our centers treat more than 20 percent of the nation’s burn patients. For more information, visit our website at www.burncenters.com or visit our social media accounts on Facebook or LinkedIn.