February 8, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 8, 2013
For additional information,
Contact: Amanda Shell
Moxley Carmichael
(865) 255-0661
The Kerbela Shriners donated more than 2,000 pieces of prevention education materials to local fire departments at a ceremony at the Kerbela Shrine Temple on Thursday, Feb. 7, as part of a national campaign to raise awareness during Burn and Scald Awareness Month in February.
Representatives of the Rural/Metro Fire Department, City of Knoxville Fire Department, Karns Volunteer Fire Department, Seymour Volunteer Fire Department and the Knox County Fire Prevention Bureau accepted the materials, and Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett attended the ceremony.
“February is Burn and Scald Awareness Month, and the Shriners International has launched a national campaign to educate the public about preventing these potentially life-threatening injuries to our children,” said Kerbela Shriners representative Lee Rayburn. “About 15,000 children under the age of 14 are hospitalized for burn or scald injuries each year. Through educational materials targeted to kids and their families, we hope reduce that number significantly.”
The activity books and safety cards will focus on children, ages three to 12 and their families. The materials focus on tips to prevent burns and scalds in small children and will be distributed using the partnerships between the fire departments and public schools, as well as by firefighters at community events.
“We’re grateful to the Kerbela Shriners for their generous donation to local fire departments,” said Rural/Metro Fire Chief Jerry Harnish. “Through these materials, we will be able to reach out and educate parents and their children about the dangers of burns and scalds and ultimately save lives.”
Scald burns are the second leading cause of all burn injuries, and nearly 60 percent of all scalding injuries happen to children under the age of four. One-fourth of these injuries, which can result in hospitalization or death, occur from hot tap water.
Prevention of scalds and burns takes place in the home. About 100 degrees Fahrenheit is safe for bath water. At 133 degrees Fahrenheit, an individual will receive third degree burns in 15 seconds. At 140 degrees, the time to receive third degree burns is reduced to only five seconds.
For more information from Shriners International and the National Fire Protection Association on burn and scald prevention, visit www.burnawareness.org.
About Rural/Metro
Rural/Metro of Tennessee is the largest emergency service provider in East Tennessee, with a combined work force of more than 800 firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, telecommunicators and other support personnel.
Rural/Metro Ambulance Service is the only accredited provider in the state, with contracts for 911 service in Knox, Blount, Loudon, Franklin and Polk counties. Rural/Metro Fire Department is the third largest in the state by population served and has provided fire protection for Knox County since 1977.
