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Debra Ann Reilly, M.D. |
Along with cooler temperatures comes an increase in the number of children suffering from burns.
Debra Ann Reilly, M.D., medical director of the burn center and associate professor of surgery at UNMC, said many of her patients this time of year are older infants and toddlers who placed their hands against the glass covering of a fireplace.
“Gas fireplaces heat up very quickly and even though parents tell children not to touch them while they are on, kids don’t understand that the searing heat remains even when the fire is off,” Dr. Reilly said. “They touch the glass and some suffer very serious burns.”
Sarah Winter of LaVista knows just how quickly it can happen. It took only a split second for her 11-month-old daughter, Anwen, to seriously injure both hands.
“We had just moved into a new apartment the weekend before. I was not thrilled about having a fireplace because I knew it could be dangerous,” Winter said. “I came home for lunch one day and the kids weren’t there so I turned it on. As I got ready to leave, my mom came home with the children. She immediately turned off the fireplace but just a moment later, as she was reaching out to grab my daughter, Anwen placed both hands on the glass.”
Cold water did little to help. The family took Anwen to a local emergency room where she received treatment and a referral to The Nebraska Medical Center’s Burn Center.
“I am so grateful for the help and expertise. The staff at the burn center has taken great care with Anwen. They wrapped each of her fingers individually so she was still able to have mobility. When you’re talking about an active toddler, that’s so important,” Winter said.
Anwen has since celebrated her first birthday. She just wrapped up weekly visits to the burn center and, more than one month after her burn, she can finally go without wearing a special bandage over the palm of her most severely burned hand. Fortunately, she’ll have full use of both hands and it’s very possible that there will not be any permanent scarring.
Awareness is critical in preventing these potentially dangerous burns.
“Parents, grandparents and caregivers need to realize that it can take up to an hour after the flame is gone for the glass on a fireplace to reach a temperature that’s safe to the touch,” Dr. Reilly said. “It’s very important to consider some type of screen or fireplace shield if you have little ones in the house.”
Dr. Reilly points out that a common kitchen appliance poses a similar burn hazard.
“An oven is much like a fireplace. The door is both hot and cold through the day, so children don’t fully understand the danger. An oven also retains heat even when it’s been turned off and meal time is over. All it takes is one quick touch to burn a child’s sensitive skin.”
Sara Winter wants to share her experience with as many families as possible.
“I don’t think any parent would consider a fireplace to be a safe thing,” she said. “But I want other moms and dads to realize how quickly kids can move and get to that glass. It only takes a second. Accidents happen, we just do the best we can to prevent them.”