4 Feb 2002
Shriners To Distribute Burn Prevention Tips To All DISD Third Graders
DALLAS—Dallas Independent School District Superintendent Mike Moses and Shriners from the Garland Hella Temple held a news conference Monday in recognition of Burn Awareness Week, and to showcase burn prevention tip cards that will be distributed to all third-grade students throughout the district.
Moses was joined by Hella Temple Potentate Delmar "Wally" Wallace, Lonnie Welch, this year's Burn Awareness chairman, Catfish Montgomery and other representatives from the Shriners organization. A group of DISD students also were present at the news conference.
Burn Awareness Week is February 3-9. Shriners annually use the week-long event to urge citizens to take precautions against the possibility of children receiving scald burns in the home. Shriners will distribute thousands of yellow burn tip cards designed to be kept on refrigerator doors throughout the Metroplex.
The cards feature prevention information and a place for the phone number for the fire department. The Shriners encourage parents to hang the cards on the front of their refrigerators so they are constantly reminded of the tips in case of an emergency.
"The Shriners are to be commended on this annual effort, and we join them in strongly encouraging all citizens to be mindful of dangerous situations that could lead to burn injuries in their homes, school and at work," Moses said.
The fraternal organization operates 22 Shriners Hospitals for Children through North America. All patient care and services are provided free of charge to youngsters up to and including the age of 18. During Burn Awareness Week, the group members particularly emphasize ways to prevent burn injuries. According to the organization, children under five are at the highest risk for burns caused by hot fluids.
"Every scald burn injury is preventable," said Wallace. "The best way to prevent scald burns of children is through close parental supervision. Most scald burns happen in the kitchen when fluids spill from the stove or a countertop, so we encourage parents to keep children away from these high risk areas. The bathroom is the second highest risk area and is directly related to the temperature of water coming from the hot water heater."
Water heaters should be set to 120 degrees Fahrenheit at the most, Wallace said. He added that parents should test bath water before letting children get into a tub.