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Follow these tips to be prepared for a fire emergency.

• Install smoke alarms on each level of your home and outside each sleeping area.
• Test smoke alarms regularly each month by pushing the "test button" (use a broom handle or stick to test alarms that are too high, or ask someone to help you).
• If the alarms have batteries, replace the batteries at least twice a year. If an alarm is "chirping," this means that the battery is low and needs changing.
• Clean alarms with a vacuum cleaner, without removing the cover from the alarm.
• Never remove an alarm battery because it sounds off while you're cooking.
• If a battery-operated smoke alarm is more than ten years old, replace the unit with a new one.
• Develop a realistic escape plan with two ways out of every room. Practice the plan, keeping in mind your physical abilities.
• Keep all exits clear.
• Keep glasses, medicines, a telephone, a flashlight and walking aids close to your bed.
• Have a visible address on your home.
• Know your emergency contact phone number (911 or other).

 
If a fire happens:

• STAY CALM and use your escape plan.
• If the door is hot to the touch, do not open it. Fire and deadly smoke are on the other side of the door. Instead, use your alternate exit.
• When escaping through smoke, crawl low to the ground, if possible, where it is easier to breathe. Smoke rises in a fire and contains deadly gases. Even one breath can make you pass out.
• If you're in a multi-story building when fire occurs, use the stairs. Do not use the elevator.
• Once outside the building, call or be sure that someone has called your emergency number (911 or another) from a neighbor's house, a cell phone or a cordless phone. Listen and give the information needed (name, address, location of fire, etc.) as calmly as possible.
• If in a group residence setting, once outside, count to make sure everyone is out. If someone is missing, tell firefighters where the person is, if known.

 
What if my clothes catch fire?

• If your clothing catches fire, STOP (do not run) DROP (to the ground) and ROLL (around to smother the flames)
• If you cannot Stop, Drop and Roll, smother the flames with a towel or blanket.
• Remove clothing over burns and call for medical help.

• Burns 201 Initial Care and Debridement of Outpatient Burn Wounds
• Burns 202 Overview of Stretches
• Burns 301 Pediatric Palm Stretch
• Burns 302 Burn Hip and Groin Stretches
• Burns 303 Burn Elbow Stretch
• Burns 304 Shoulder Burn Stretches
• Burns 305 Foot and Leg Stretches
• Burns 306 Burn Hand Stretches
• Burns 307 Burn Wrist Stretches
• Burns 308 Burn Neck Stretches
• Burns 309 Face Stretching

• Flush the burn area with low pressure running cool water.
• Don't apply ice. It can be too harsh for burned skin and cause tissue damage.
• Folk remedies such as applying butter do not help the healing process and may increase the risk of infection if the burn is severe.
• Cool Water (not cold) alone or a very mild soap can be used to gently clean the area.
• Keep the burned area clean and dry as it heals. The area can be covered with a light bandage, if needed. A small amount of an over the counter ointment can be applied to keep the bandage from sticking to the skin.

Seek Medical Treatment in the Vanderbilt Burn Center when:

• A burn covers a large area, especially if blistering occurs.
• There is extreme pain or loss of sensation.
• Burns occur to face, eyes, hands or feet.
• A burn involves chemicals or electricity.
• There is smoke inhalation.
• A burn does not appear to be healing well.

You should check your burn daily for signs and symptoms of infection.
Symptoms to watch for include:

• Increased redness around the burns (including areas that were not burned)
• Increased pain
• Foul-smelling drainage
• Fever
• Increased swelling

If you notice any of these, call the Burn Clinic right away at (615) 936-BURN (2876). If it is after clinic hours or on a weekend, please call the Burn Center at (615) 322-4590 and ask to speak to a charge nurse.

A burn is damage to the skin caused by heat, flame, hot liquids or chemicals. There are three types or degrees of burns.

• Superficial or 1st degree burns are damage to the top layer of skin, usually causing redness and pain like a sunburn.
• Partial Thickness or 2nd degree burns are damage to the deeper layers of skin, usually causing blisters and pain. The wounds should be pink or red under the blisters.
• Full thickness or 3rd degree burns are damage to the entire thickness of skin, including nerves and blood vessels. The skin may be black (charred), brown or white.