The NYCHA Journal

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National Burn Awareness Week
Health & Safety Top Story 

It’s National Burn Awareness Week

Michael

Every year, the American Burn Association recognizes the first full week in February as National Burn Awareness Week; this year’s theme focuses on the burns caused by flammable liquids.

We live in a world where flammable and combustible liquids are common and used frequently –  gasoline, rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover, lighter fluid, hand sanitizer, and cooking oils are just a few examples. NYCHA’s Environmental Health and Safety Department would like to share the following safety guidelines regarding flammable liquids to help keep you and your family safe at home.

Safe storage of flammable liquids:

  • Do not use flammable or combustible liquids where there are any open flames, sparks, or other sources of ignition, such as smoking.
  • Store flammable liquids such as nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol in a child-resistant cabinet.
  • Containers must be closed when not in use.

Safe disposal of flammable liquids:

  • Never pour these liquids down the drain or into a sewer.
  • Instead, you can take them to a SAFE Disposal Event, which are normally held by the City in the spring and fall (learn more here).

Additional safety tips:

  • Avoid carrying a baby and hot liquids like coffee, tea, or soup at the same time. Don’t hold or cradle a baby near hot liquids on the stove or tabletops (even a small splash could scald your baby).
  • Protect your child from tap hot water scalds. 
  • Make sure young children cannot reach the microwave. Also, stir microwaved food well or let it stand for two minutes so the heat can distribute evenly.
  • Practice family fire drills. Teach your children to stop, drop, and roll on the ground if their clothing catches fire. If you do not have a working smoke alarm installed in your apartment, submit a work order ticket using MyNYCHA or by calling the Customer Contact Center at 718-707-7771.
  • If someone is severely burned, call 911 immediately. While you wait for help, begin these treatments:
    • Treat a burn right away by putting it in cool water for three to five minutes.
    • Cover the burn with a clean, dry cloth. Do not apply creams, ointments, sprays, or other home remedies.
    • Remove all clothing, diapers, jewelry, and metal from the burned area. These can hide underlying burns and retain heat, which can increase skin damage.
Danger flammable liquids

If you have questions about this or any environmental health and safety matter, please email ehs@nycha.nyc.gov. Residents, employees, and any member of the public can submit environmental health and safety concerns at on.nyc.gov/submit-concern.

For more information on flammable liquid safety and burn awareness, please visit: