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"Burn Patients Recover at Millcreek Canyon Campsite"
"UC Davis Burn Doctor Helps Treat Oregon Firefighters"
"Camp Helps Survivors Cope"
"Scald Burns in Young Children--A Review of Arizona Burn Center Pediatric Patients and a Proposal for Prevention in the Hispanic Community"
"Fires in a Multi Level Building"
"Iraq's Burn Unit Working Miracles"
"Pediatric Palm Contact Burns: A Ten-Year Review"
"Helicopter Toys Recalled Due to Fire and Burn Hazards"
"Robert Brenner's Practice Is for Burn Victims Only"
"Research on Burn Care Reported by Scientists at National University of Singapore, Department of Pharmacology"
"Victims to Survivors: Addressing the Bullying Problem"
"Angry Parents Remove Dangerously Overheated Playground Mats"
"Burn Victims Thank Foreign Affairs for Aid"
"The Expectations and Experiences of Children Attending Burn Camps: A Qualitative Study"
"It's Time to Stand Up and Be Accounted For"
"A Population-Based Questionnaire Study on the Prevalence and Epidemiology of Burn Patients in Denizli, Turkey"

"Burn Patients Recover at Millcreek Canyon Campsite"
Deseret Morning News (UT) (08/12/08) Raymond, Arthur

Utah’s Camp Nah-Nah-Mah has been bringing together children recovering from burn injuries for nine years, creating a community of friendship and understanding that helps them develop the social skills to deal with life in the real world. Kids at the camp were all treated at University of Utah Hospital's Regional Burn Unit, and the camp is funded by the Professional Fire Fighters of Utah. "This is a place to give burn patients a chance to be with each other," said Brad Wiggins, the camp’s co-director. "Kids with a skin graft may not know any kids who even know what that is--here, they meet and hang out with other kids who have had the same experience." He said that many Utah fire fighters are very hands-on and integral at the camp, preparing and serving all meals and organizing some entertainment for the kids. The nursing staff says it is very rewarding to volunteer at the camp and see children they have treated recovering and having fun. Some counselors are adult burn survivors as well, giving the children a chance to see that their injuries will not prevent them from having a good life.

"UC Davis Burn Doctor Helps Treat Oregon Firefighters"
Oregonian (08/08/08) Killen, John

A helicopter transporting fire fighters who had been combating the Iron Complex fire in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest recently crashed near Redding, Calif., killing nine fire fighters and burning three. The survivors were treated by Dr. Tina Palmieri, director of the burn unit at UC Davis Medical Center—the only burn unit within 300 miles of the crash. The co-pilot experienced third-degree burns on at least one-third of his body, including on his hands, arms, legs, and face. He spent 3.5 hours in surgery and must stay in the hospital for a minimum of 35 days and go through intensive rehabilitation. Two fire fighters were treated; one for second-degree burns to the face and a fractured lower back, and the other for facial burns and fractured facial bones. Both have been released from intensive care and are in "good condition."

"Camp Helps Survivors Cope"
Burnaby Now (08/06/08) McLaren, Sylver

At July’s annual B.C. Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund Burn Camp, children with burn injuries swam, hiked, acted in skits, made new friends, and overall built the confidence to see their scars as a symbol of courage rather than pain. Junior counselors at the camp are burn survivors as well, while adult counselors are fire fighters, doctors, and nurses from the B.C. Children’s Hospital burn program at Vancouver General Hospital. "They realize they are not alone and many people see them as normal and beautiful, and they gain self-confidence” says Heather Wilson, a burn camp director and member of Burnaby, BC Local 323. “That one week at camp, they can let their guard down and be themselves. It's really a special week." Many of the injuries at the camp were preventable, and fire fighters offer the following tips to avoid burns in the summer season: use grills only outdoors, check a propane cylinder for leaks by brushing soapy water over the connections to form bubbles, make sure there is no grease buildup on hoses or cylinders, and make sure valves and the gas supply are turned off when finished cooking. Children should be kept away from campfires, and fires should be doused with water to ensure they are completely extinguished.

"Scald Burns in Young Children--A Review of Arizona Burn Center Pediatric Patients and a Proposal for Prevention in the Hispanic Community"
Journal of Burn Care & Research (08/01/2008) Vol. 29, No. 4, P. 595; Rimmer, Ruth B.; Weigand, Shannon; Foster, Kevin N.

Researchers conducted a study of the pediatric patients admitted to the Arizona Burn Center from 2005 to 2006 after the facility's staff said it was treating more young children for scald burns. Of the 170 pediatric patients aged 0 to 5, 124 (59 percent) were admitted for scald burns, and the mean age was 1.7 years. Hispanic children accounted for 63 percent of the pediatric patients, and the mean TBSA was 8 percent with mean length of stay of 8 days. Hot water was involved in 25 percent of the scald burns, followed by soup at 24 percent and coffee or tea at 21 percent. The hot substance was pulled from the stove (24 percent), from the countertop (13 percent), or was spilled on them (13 percent)-- usually while the caregiver was cooking. The mother was the primary caregiver (78 percent), and only 36 percent of parents spoke Spanish as their primary language. The researchers also conducted focus groups to determine the target community's knowledge of burn prevention and found that 85 percent of participants had received no prior burn prevention education, but they were open to obtaining such education.

"Fires in a Multi Level Building"
Liberty Mutual News Release (08/01/2008)

There are a number of fire safety and prevention rules specific to tenants living in multi-level buildings. Fire safety experts say that if a fire is 10 floors below the apartment that residents' best course of action is to notify the fire department and stay inside with doors closed and sealed off with damp towels. However, if the fire is directly below the apartment residents should leave, if possible. If residents need to escape through smoke, they should crawl, covering their faces and keeping their heads one to two feet above the ground. For residents of college dorms, fire prevention experts ask that students unplug electric appliances when not in use, never leave cooking unattended, smoke only in designated areas, and ensure all cigarettes and candles are properly extinguished before going to bed or leaving the room.

"Iraq's Burn Unit Working Miracles"
CBS News (07/31/08)

The burn unit at a U.S. military base in Iraq is filled to capacity, with as many as 80 families a day waiting to be admitted for treatment that is unavailable elsewhere in the country. The clinic has somewhat primitive conditions, relying on donations for supplies because the unit is technically independent from the U.S. military. “Since we don’t cause the injury, we can’t treat them with our supplies,” says Sgt. Joe Barzeski, who had no medical training before joining the Army. He has been learning on the job, and even developed his own treatment to prevent thick keloid scars—a blend of steroids, antibiotics, and “medi-honey,” which he applies to burns on children to help them re-grow skin. Barzeski and staff have treated more than 1,000 children.

"Pediatric Palm Contact Burns: A Ten-Year Review"
Journal of Burn Care & Research (08/01/2008) Vol. 29, No. 4, P. 614; Scott, Jeffrey R. ; Costa, Beth A.; Gibran, Nicole S.

Doctors at the University of Washington Burn Center examined their approach to treating pediatric palm burns over a 10-year period and found that early, aggressive hand therapy often helped patients to heal without the need for surgery. The center’s approach to treatment includes motion therapy and watchful waiting; grafting is done only when all else fails to produce healing. Of 168 patients admitted to the center between 1994 and 2004, 87 percent healed without the need for surgery. Of these, only 2.4 percent required late reconstruction. Of the 13.4 percent who did need excision and grafting, the injuries were managed with thick split thickness skin grafts, with four patients needing secondary reconstruction at an average of 166 days later.

"Helicopter Toys Recalled Due to Fire and Burn Hazards"
NewsChannel 9 WSYR (Syracuse, N.Y.) (07/25/08)

A recall has been issued for two Innovage wireless indoor toy helicopters due to burn hazards. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled 685,000 “Sky Scrambler” and “The Sharper Image” helicopters, citing a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that may overheat, ignite, and potentially burn its users. The company cites two instances where the helicopters ignited, one of which burned a user’s fingertip. All owners of the helicopters should stop using them and return them to the company for a full refund.

"Robert Brenner's Practice Is for Burn Victims Only"
Lawyers and Settlements (07/22/08) Craig, Brenda

Attorney Robert Brenner’s legal practice has only one type of client: burn survivors. Twenty years ago he represented his first burn case, winning $38 million for two electricians who were catastrophically burned after an electrical explosion. Brenner made a name for himself with that case, and similar cases flooded in. He is now an expert on burn accidents, and his Web site is filled with data on burns in the United States. “Because the injuries are so horrible, it is not just the cosmetic or disfigurement issues that are involved,” Brenner says. “There are emotional issues as well.” Indeed, spouses of burn survivors have the right to a claim as well, called the “loss of consortium” claim, which affords damages for the emotional impact on the spouse and the relationship. Caretaking, financial burdens, and even divorce are often the outcome of a burn accident, he says.

"Research on Burn Care Reported by Scientists at National University of Singapore, Department of Pharmacology"
Pharma Investments, Ventures & Law Weekly (07/20/08) P. 490

A recent study conducted by researchers from the National University of Singapore's Department of Pharmacology has found that the classical tachykinin substance P (SP) has a number of powerful neuroimmunomodulatory effects on all kinds of airway functions. The study shows that burn injury in subjects with 30 percent total body surface area full thickness burns produced a significant amount of SP, preprotachykinin-A gene expression, which encodes for SB. The subjects also had increased biological activity of SP-neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) signaling, a response that correlates with worsened lung damage after burns, as evidenced by increased microvascular permeability, edema, and neutrophil accumulation. The development of increased inflammation and lung damage was seen in conjunction with increased proinflammatory IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 mRNA and protein production after the lung was injured.

"Victims to Survivors: Addressing the Bullying Problem"
Burn Support News (Quarter 3, 2008) Schwartzman, Paul

Burn survivors often encounter a variety of social challenges, including bullying. Research indicates that 68 percent of children who have survived being burned said they were bullied, including physically, verbally, and online. Finger Lakes Regional Burn Association Inc. President Paul Schwartzman notes that individuals who are burned require protection, either via adult supervision or the creation of a buddy system for companionship and help. He states that bullying must be reported in order to be regarded seriously. Schwartzman explains that effective bullying interventions are comprehensive. When the subject of bullying is addressed in the classroom, people who are bullied are more likely to talk about their own bullying experiences and feel that there is a safe location to get help. Schwartzman says classes that have burn survivors may benefit from The Phoenix Society's "The Journey Back" school re-entry curriculum. Schwartzman says that in order to lessen bullying incidents, attention must be paid to the school's social atmosphere and altering its culture to prohibit people from being treated poorly. He concludes by stressing that the burn-care community and burn survivors have an important role to play in dealing with the bullying challenge.

"Angry Parents Remove Dangerously Overheated Playground Mats"
New York Daily News (07/20/08) Wilkins, Jeff; Hays, Elizabeth; Monahan, Rachel

Parents in New York City are angry that the city Parks Department refuses to remove from local playgrounds the black rubber mats that have burned the feet of very young children. The mats absorb so much heat in the summer that they can reach temperatures of 165 degrees, and local doctors say they see about 16 to 18 playground burn injuries per year. The Parks Department says no burns have ever been reported, and noted that there are signs posted on all playgrounds warning against removing shoes. "We're not going to remove [the mats]," Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe said. "Our playgrounds are the safest in the world." Parents and advocates are outraged that the city refuses to take any responsibility. "It is unconscionable that the city continues to install products in playgrounds that hurt the most vulnerable park users--small children," said Geoffrey Croft of NYC Park Advocates. "How many more have to get hurt until someone is held accountable?" The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recently published a handbook which suggested that lighter-colored playground mats be used.

"Burn Victims Thank Foreign Affairs for Aid"
Pretoria News (South Africa) (07/18/08) P. 4; Hosken, Grame

South Africa’s Foreign Affairs Department was named the country’s most humanitarian department by the Children of Fire (COF) organization. The charity, which helps child burn survivors and educates their communities, presented the department’s staff with flowers and posters made by child burn survivors. Thirteen young burn survivors participated in the presentation, two of whom received assistance from the department to come to South Africa for treatment. The department has helped burn survivors with visas, permits, on-site advice, clearances for refugees, and problem-solving, said COF representative Lindiwe Ngwenya. The department assists the charity throughout the continent, even setting up satellite stations in north Africa. "You have gone beyond the call of duty and have helped make life saving changes to these children's lives,” Ngwenya told department staff. “You are true heroes.”

"The Expectations and Experiences of Children Attending Burn Camps: A Qualitative Study"
Journal of Burn Care & Research (06/01/2008) Vol. 29, No. 3, P. 475; Maertens, Koen; Ponjaert-Kristoffersen, Ingrid

Children attending burn camps report genuine psychological benefits from their participation in the camps, according to a new study which used evaluation forms to gather information from the burn survivors themselves. The evaluation forms, given to 19 children and their families attending the National Burn Camp in Belgium, indicated they experienced increased self-confidence, improved coping skills, better social skills, new friendships, and feelings of achievement. The forms contained open-ended questions and were given to the respondents at different times, and the study’s authors conclude that the forms offer more in-depth information on the desires of the participants and can greatly improve camp programs.

"It's Time to Stand Up and Be Accounted For"
Firehouse.com (07/16/08) Mirkhah, Azarang

Home fire deaths still account for 80 percent of all fire deaths in the country, and while experts say that having both smoke alarms and sprinkler systems installed in a home reduces the risk of death by 82 percent, so far just 2 percent of homes in the country have sprinklers. Installing sprinklers in all newly constructed homes across the country could save thousands of lives each year, and fire fighters must participate in the International Code Council (ICC) code development process to advocate for such requirements, according to this opinion piece. The ICC fire sprinkler requirement, proposal RB-64, requires a two-thirds majority of voting governmental members to be present at the meeting, so it is vital that all who are able find a way to attend, debate, and vote, the commentary says. The Sept. 17-23, 2008, meeting is a rare opportunity for fire service professionals to make changes that will address the main cause of fire deaths in the country. Meanwhile, the International Association of Fire Fighters will be voting on a residential fire sprinkler proposal at its annual conference in August.

"A Population-Based Questionnaire Study on the Prevalence and Epidemiology of Burn Patients in Denizli, Turkey"
Journal of Burn Care & Research (06/01/2008) Vol. 29, No. 3, P. 446; Kara, Inci Gokalan

A recent study of burn injuries in the city of Denizli, Turkey, focused on obtaining information about the entire population of burn injuries rather than just those that were admitted to healthcare centers. The study found that total burn prevalence in the city was 12.6 percent, with just 33.3 percent of those incidents treated in hospitals or other healthcare centers, and the remaining 66.7 percent treated at home. Sequelae occurred in 31.3 percent of injuries, with 89.5 percent being cosmetic problems, 7.9 percent functional impairments, and 2.9 percent physiological problems. The results indicate a strong need for professional burn care centers in the area, the authors conclude.

The inclusion of articles in the IAFF Burn Foundation Briefing does not imply the IAFF or IAFF Burn Foundation's endorsement of their content nor any particular organizations or programs highlighted in these articles. Articles are intended to increase awareness of media coverage of topics relevant to our community and are provided for informational purposes only.

© Copyright 2008 INFORMATION, INC.

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