Operation Warm - Firefighters Coats for Kids

Tacoma Firefighters proudly distributed 200 coats to area head start children this week. Part of the national Operation Warm campaign with the International Association of Firefighters, the goal of the program is to provide new warm coats to those most in need.

Firefighters raised $6,000 to purchase the 200 American made coats, and spent two days visiting four Tacoma Elementary Schools making deliveries.

“This is our first year participating in this charity and it has been a great opportunity to give back to the community,” said Tacoma Firefighters Local 31 president Ryan Mudie. “We really got a kick out of all the big smiles and really excited kids – we put the coats right on their backs.”

National Burn Awareness Week, February 2-8, 2014

National Burn Awareness Week (Feb. 2-8), is a great reminder to parents and caregivers that fire is just one cause of burn injuries - children can also be seriously injured by hot foods and beverages, heating appliances, hot pots and pans, electrical currents and chemicals. Of particular emphasis this year is the prevention of scald injuries.

According to the American Burn Association and Shriners Children’s Hospital, about 95 percent of scald burns (which are caused by hot liquids, steam or foods) occur in the home. Scalds are the most common burn injury among young children and one of the leading causes of accidental death in the home for children under age four. U.S. hospitals treat an estimated 16,000 children under five for scalds every year.

Here are some recommendations to help prevent scald injuries.

• Install anti-scald devices on water faucets and shower heads
• Use knob covers on faucets
• Create “kid free zones” in the kitchen near the stove
• Reduce water temperature - the maximum recommended residential water temperature is 120° F (48° C)

Additional resources:
NW Burn Foundation
Center for Disease Control
Safe Kids