Riley encourages community to take action to prevent fire, burn and scald injuries during National Burn Awareness Week

02/02/2009

In observance of National Burn Awareness Week (February 1-7), Riley Hospital for Children wants to remind the community about the importance of taking action to prevent fire, burn and scald-related injury and deaths, especially to those who are most vulnerable - our youngest children.

Riley Hospital’s Burn Center, Indiana’s only pediatric burn care center, had over 200 admissions in 2007.

“There are everyday steps people can take to prevent fire, burn and scald injuries to kids, including developing and practicing a fire escape plan, cooling all foods and liquids before eating or drinking, and installing and checking smoke alarms monthly and replacing the batteries twice a year,” said John Coleman, MD, medical director of Riley’s Burn Care Unit.

Riley Hospital will also host various activities for its patients designed to increase burn awareness and share prevention messages:

For additional resources on burn awareness and prevention, please contact Riley Hospitals’ Community Education and Child Advocacy department at 1.888.365.2022 or visit www.rileychildrenshospital.com/kids1st.

About Riley Hospital for Children As one of the nation’s leading pediatric hospitals and Indiana’s first and only comprehensive hospital dedicated exclusively to the care of children, Riley Hospital for Children, a part of Clarian Health, has provided compassionate care, support and comfort to children and their families for 85 years. Each year, Riley Hospital and Riley Hospital at Clarian North serve over 215,000 inpatients and outpatients from across Indiana, the nation and the world. Riley Hospital’s partnership with Clarian Health, and its strong affiliation with the Indiana University School of Medicine, makes it the only comprehensive clinical resource for Indiana’s children and the premiere source for health-related information for their parents. From simple care associated with the health and wellness of children and less complex specialty care to the most critically-ill and medically complex cases, Riley Hospital for Children is a national leader. Clarian Health operates the Methodist Hospital, Indiana University Hospital and Riley Hospital for Children campuses as a single hospital under Indiana law. Visit www.rileychildrenshospital.com for more information.

CONTACT:
Margie Smith-Simmons
317.962.4085 (o)
317.312.4348 (p)
msmithsi@clarian.org