Keep Summer Safe with These Tips from BRG’s Verified Regional Burn Center

BRG Regional Burn Center Medical Director offers burn prevention tips for a happy, uneventful summer

Baton Rouge, La. – Each year, more than 15,000 patients visit emergency rooms for burns involving grills. With this weekend’s Memorial Day celebrations kicking off the summer, Baton Rouge General Regional Burn Center Medical Director Dr. Tracee Short offers five simple burn safety tips.

“It’s easy to associate burns with heater fires in the winter,” said Dr. Short. “Unfortunately, we see a lot of patients each summer with burns from grills, campfires and fireworks – which can all be prevented by using the right safety measures.”

Dr. Short’s tips include:

1. Only use grills outside, and keep a 3-foot “safe zone” around them.
2. Never let children play around a grill.
3. Check to make sure propane tank connections are secure on gas grills.
4. Build campfires at least 15 feet away from tent walls, shrubs or other materials that burn.
5. Never use gasoline or other accelerants on campfires.

While people who have been severely burned should go to an emergency room or call 9-1-1 immediately, consultations from experts at BRG’s Regional Burn Center are also available by submitting pictures of burned areas securely online.

BRG has the only verified burn center between Florida and Texas, and is one of only 68 in the U.S. that is held to specific standards by the American Burn Association through its verified status. Established in 1970, BRG’s Regional Burn Center plays an integral role in supporting other Gulf Coast states when the need arises.

Learn more about the BRG Regional Burn Center’s resources and team of experts by visiting BRGeneral.org/Burn or by contacting (225) 387-7717 or Burn@BRGeneral.org.

About Baton Rouge General Medical Center
Baton Rouge General Medical Center is the area’s first community hospital with 588 licensed beds between two campuses. Baton Rouge General opened its doors in 1900, and has provided the Greater Baton Rouge community with high-quality healthcare for generations. An accredited teaching hospital since 1991, Baton Rouge General serves as a satellite campus of Tulane University School of Medicine, and offers other medical education programs, including a School of Nursing, School of Radiologic Technology, Family Medicine Residency Program, Internal Medicine Residency Program, and Sports Medicine Fellowship Program. For more information, visit BRGeneral.org, find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/BatonRougeGeneral and follow us on Twitter at @BRGeneral.