MAYWOOD, IL – Burn injuries are the leading cause of unintentional death and injury in the United States.

In recognition of National Burn Awareness Week 2018 (February 4 to 10), Loyola Medicine and Anthony Baldea, MD, director of Loyola's Burn Center, are offering tips to prevent and care for burn injuries.

Loyola operates the largest burn center in Illinois and is a regional leader in burn care. Loyola's outstanding success rates and multidisciplinary approach are recognized by the American College of Surgeons and American Burn Association.

"Loyola Medicine takes care of some of the most difficult burn cases in the area," Dr. Baldea said. "During Burn Awareness Week, we take special pride in the care we are able to deliver our patients."

Burn Prevention Tips

Reduce Water Temperature

Set the thermostat on your water heater to below 120 F (48.9 C).

Address Outlets and Electrical Cords

Cover unused electrical outlets with safety caps. Replace damaged electrical cords.

Kitchen Safety

Wear short, close-fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. Turn pot handles away from the stove’s edge and never use wet oven mitts or potholders. Hot cookware can heat moisture in a potholder or hot pad, resulting in a scald burn.

General Fire Safety

Never leave candles or open flames unattended. Put smoke alarms throughout the house and check the batteries.

Burn Care Tips

If a burn injury does happen:

  1. Cool the burn with cool (not cold) water to stop the burning process
  2. Remove all clothing and/or diaper from the injured area
  3. Cover the area with a clean dry sheet or bandages
  4. Seek medical attention

When to Seek Medical Attention

Treatment of burns depends on the location and severity of the injury. While some can be treated at home, people with severe burns often require treatment at specialized burn centers.

You should seek medical attention when:

  • Burns are covering hands, feet, face, groin, buttocks, major joints or a large area of the body
  • Burns are deep
  • Burns are caused by chemicals or electricity
  • Burns affect the airway, making it difficult to breathe
  • Large blisters appear
  • Signs of infection begin, such as oozing from the wound, increased pain, redness and swelling
  • A burn or blister doesn't heal in several weeks

About Loyola Medicine

Loyola Medicine, a member of Trinity Health, is a nationally ranked academic, quaternary care system based in Chicago's western suburbs. The three-hospital system includes Loyola University Medical Center (LUMC), Gottlieb Memorial HospitalMacNeal Hospital, as well as convenient locations offering primary care, specialty care and immediate care services from nearly 2,000 physicians throughout Cook, Will and DuPage counties. LUMC is a 547-licensed-bed hospital in Maywood that includes the William G. and Mary A. Ryan Center for Heart & Vascular Medicine, the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, the John L. Keeley, MD, Emergency Department, a Level 1 trauma center, Illinois's largest burn center, the Nancy W. Knowles Orthopaedic Institute, a certified comprehensive stroke centertransplant center and a children’s hospital. Having delivered compassionate care for over 50 years, Loyola also trains the next generation of caregivers through its academic affiliation with Loyola University Chicago’s Stritch School of Medicine and Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing.   

For more information, visit loyolamedicine.org. You can also follow Loyola Medicine on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or X (formerly known as Twitter).

About Trinity Health

Trinity Health is one of the largest not-for-profit, faith-based health care systems in the nation. It is a family of 127,000 colleagues and more than 38,300 physicians and clinicians caring for diverse communities across 26 states. Nationally recognized for care and experience, the Trinity Health system includes 93 hospitals, 107 continuing care locations, the second largest PACE program in the country, 142 urgent care locations and many other health and well-being services. In fiscal year 2024, the Livonia, Michigan-based health system invested $1.3 billion in its communities in the form of charity care and other community benefit programs. For more information, visit us at www.trinity-health.org, or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X (formerly known as Twitter).