Bruce Breedlove
02-09-2010, 04:02 PM
Local hospital sees increase in burns from gas fireplaces (http://www.9news.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=132406&catid=346)
DENVER - They are an important feature in nearly every home. A gas fireplace adds ambiance and warmth to a Colorado evening. Unfortunately, many people don't know about a hidden danger these fireplaces may pose to our children.
The Children's Hospital Burn Center has seen a 50 percent increase in burns to the hands from gas fireplace glass doors since 2006.
"We see on average 2 to 3 new patients per week in our out-patient burn clinic," Registered Nurse Angela Drelles said.
The problem is many glass doors do not have protective screens. While the glass door definitely protects children from the fire itself, it doesn't necessarily protect kids from the heat. The surface of the glass can rise to 200ยบ F in just six minutes. Contact with the glass door can result in second- or third-degree burns to the skin.
Recently, one family learned about this danger on Christmas Eve. Three generations of the family gathered in a family room with the grandchildren. The youngest grandchild who had just learned to walk took about three steps away from his mom. In a matter of seconds Reeve Thomas was at the fireplace, with his hands stuck to the glass doors.
Brynn Thomas immediately pulled Reeve away, but it was too late.
"His hands were blistered," she said. "He had white blisters on both of the palms and every fingertip." The family rushed to the car and then to The Children's Hospital, where doctors and nurses in the emergency room knew in an instant what had happened.
Fortunately for Reeve, he did not need skin grafting surgery. Doctors were able to keep his hands in soft casts for more than three weeks, allowing his skin to heal.
"Our goal is for the wounds to heal in 21 days," Drelles said.
. . .
DENVER - They are an important feature in nearly every home. A gas fireplace adds ambiance and warmth to a Colorado evening. Unfortunately, many people don't know about a hidden danger these fireplaces may pose to our children.
The Children's Hospital Burn Center has seen a 50 percent increase in burns to the hands from gas fireplace glass doors since 2006.
"We see on average 2 to 3 new patients per week in our out-patient burn clinic," Registered Nurse Angela Drelles said.
The problem is many glass doors do not have protective screens. While the glass door definitely protects children from the fire itself, it doesn't necessarily protect kids from the heat. The surface of the glass can rise to 200ยบ F in just six minutes. Contact with the glass door can result in second- or third-degree burns to the skin.
Recently, one family learned about this danger on Christmas Eve. Three generations of the family gathered in a family room with the grandchildren. The youngest grandchild who had just learned to walk took about three steps away from his mom. In a matter of seconds Reeve Thomas was at the fireplace, with his hands stuck to the glass doors.
Brynn Thomas immediately pulled Reeve away, but it was too late.
"His hands were blistered," she said. "He had white blisters on both of the palms and every fingertip." The family rushed to the car and then to The Children's Hospital, where doctors and nurses in the emergency room knew in an instant what had happened.
Fortunately for Reeve, he did not need skin grafting surgery. Doctors were able to keep his hands in soft casts for more than three weeks, allowing his skin to heal.
"Our goal is for the wounds to heal in 21 days," Drelles said.
. . .