UofL Health – UofL Hospital – Burn Center recognizes American Burn Association’s National Burn Awareness Week. This year’s theme is electrical burns from A-Z.
Overloading electrical circuits are a major cause of residential fires. Warning signs of an overloaded circuit include:
- Flickering, blinking or dimming lights
- Frequently tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses
- Warm or discolored wall plates
- Cracking, sizzling or buzzing from receptacles
- Burning odor coming from receptacles or wall switches
- Mild shock or tingle from appliances, receptacles or switches
How to prevent electrical overloads:
- Never use extension cords or multi-outlet converters for appliances
- All major appliances should be plugged directly into a wall receptacle outlet. Only plug one heat producing appliance into a receptacle outlet at a time
- Heavy reliance on extension cords is an indication that you have too few outlets to address your needs. Have a qualified electrician inspect your home and add new outlets
- Power strips only add additional outlets; they do not change the amount of power being received from the outlet
In addition, the American Burn Association has created these educational facts and tips to keep you and your family safe:
To see more, visit the American Burn Association website.
UofL Hospital – Burn Center treats more than 500 patients annually from all over the tri-state area. We care for patients with chemical, electrical, flame/thermal and scald burns or complex wounds or skin conditions. Our goal is to assist patients and families towards recovery and getting back to their lives.
