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Proceeds from the sales of the 2009 IAFF Burn Foundation Calendar support burn prevention and education, burn research and improving the quality of life for burn survivors.

Created in 1982, the Burn Foundation is now the largest non-governmental source for burn research grants and the sponsor of the annual IAFF National Children's Burn Camp, held each fall in Washington, DC.

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"Researcher Identifies Protein Attributed to Repairing Live Tissue"
Home News Tribune (12/04/2008) Forbes, Jennifer

Researchers at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey have determined that a protein called MG53 helps trigger membrane repair in damaged tissue. In a study published in the journal Nature Cell Biology, researchers led by Jianjie Ma said the discovery could lead to a mechanism for repairing damaged human tissue. Ma said he intends to conduct further research to examine potential therapies for such things as burn treatment, sports injuries, and complications from diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and other conditions. Supporters of the research include the American Heart Association, the National Institutes of Health, and Japan's Ministry of Education, Science, Sports, and Culture.

"Holiday Decorations May Pose Safety Hazards for Families"
PR Newswire (12/03/08)

The National Fire Protection Association said that December and January are the peak months for the overall number of home fires and associated deaths and injuries, largely stemming from preventable accidents caused by seasonal decorations (responsible for 1,300 home fires annually) and Christmas trees (responsible for 240 home fires annually). To ensure a safe holiday season, families should follow the simple guidelines of placing trimmed trees in water and ensuring that trees are several feet away from any fireplace, radiator, or other source of heat. Furthermore, electrical decorations should be inspected for damage and replaced as necessary before being plugged in; decorations should also be UL listed. Candles are responsible for 71 percent of December home fires, and particular care should be used when handling open flames.

"Fire Officials Remind Residents to Be Careful When Using Heaters This Winter"
Jacksonville Daily Progress (Texas) (12/01/08) Ross, Christin

The National Fire Protection Association cites heating equipment as the leading cause of home fires during the winter months. In 2005, heating equipment was determined to be involved in an estimated 62,200 reported U.S. home fires. Jacksonville (Fla.) Fire Department Lt. David Glidewell recommends the following to reduce the risk of heating equipment fires: Make sure all purchased space heaters are independently certified, furniture is moved several feet away from the space heater, and only the proper grade of fuel is used in the heater; furthermore, all fireplaces should be enclosed in a sturdy screen to contain any escaping ashes, and, if you are burning wood, dry, seasoned wood should be burned to minimize the accumulation of flammable creosote.

"Burn Victim Is a Persuasive Endorsement for Fire Safety"
Reporter-Herald (Colo.) (11/30/08) Pilsner, Jon

Loveland (Colo.) Fire and Rescue has found an effective new tool for illustrating the dangers of fire: burn survivor Lindsey Jacobson. When Deputy Fire Marshal Scott Pringle speaks at local elementary schools he brings along Jacobson, who was burned by hot oil in a kitchen fire when she was 15. She tells the story of the grease fire that burned her arm, body, and legs and sent her to the hospital for 12 days, and shares details about the skin grafting procedures that were necessary to heal her burns. Her presence leaves a stronger impression than a video or speech from Pringle could, and Jacobson says the kids seem to understand that this could happen to them. She benefits as well, she says. “It’s sort of like free therapy,” she says. “It seems pretty effective for [both of] us.”

"The Need for a Juvenile Fire Setting Database"
Journal of Burn Care & Research (12/01/2008) Vol. 29, No. 6, P. 955; Klein, Julianne J.; Mondozzi, Mary A.; Andrews, David A.

A group of researchers has compiled a nationwide database of fire setters for incidents occurring between Jan. 1, 2003, and Dec. 31, 2005. The group compiled data from 133 participants, ranging in age from three to 17, and obtained the location, ignition source, court order, and fire-setting history from each participant. Analysis from the research shows that more than a quarter of all fires were set by participants age 12 to 14. Location, ignition, and court-mandated participants were separated into an older category, age 11 to 17, and a younger category, age three to 10. Schools were the most common ignition location for the older participants, while bedrooms where ranked first for the younger ones. More than half--54 percent--of the participants started the fires with lighters. The number of repeat offenders was anywhere from 4 percent to 10 percent, according to the analysis, with a high margin of error. At present there is no state or national-level database with which to compare and analyze the researchers' findings, though the new study could be used to enhance models developed by the United States Fire Administration.

"State Now Requires 'Fire-Safe' Cigarettes"
Minnesota Daily (11/30/08) Bierschbach, Briana

Minnesota’s new law requiring that all cigarettes sold in the state be fire-safe has taken effect, and fire-safety advocates are calling it the most important fire-prevention measure in the past 30 years. The cigarettes must be manufactured to stop burning if left unattended, usually by wrapping them with less-porous paper that slows burning, and advocates say the method can prevent many fatal fires. Cigarette fires kill as many as 900 people per year, according to the National Fire Protection Association. “In terms of fire safety, when you take in combination the number of civilian lives and the hazard posed upon fire fighters, there just isn’t anything that even comes close to addressing this problem,” says Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association Legislative Committee Chair Nyle Zikmund.

"Fire Department Offers Tips for Cooking Safety"
Moultrie Observer (GA) (11/26/08) Oxford, John

To prevent cooking fires, Lavon Cooper, the fire marshal captain of the Moultrie, Ga., fire department, urges people to never leave a cooking area unattended. If it is necessary to step away from cooking, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends turning off the stove or other cooking device first. The NFPA also suggests using a timer when cooking, especially for baking, roasting, boiling, or simmering. If a cooking fire occurs, it is okay to seek help from the fire department if in doubt about what to do. Small grease fires can be contained by sliding a lid over the pan and turning the burner off. The NFPA discourages the use of turkey fryers inside the home because of the potential for injury. Fryers can fall over if bumped, causing gallons of oil to spill that could cause severe burns. Moreover, the oil is heated to such high temperatures that even the vapors could ignite a fire.

"Get Your Fireplace Ready for Winter"
San Francisco Chronicle (11/29/08) James, Marinell

Thirty-six percent of home-heating fires are caused by poor chimney maintenance, according to Lorraine Carli, vice president of public affairs for the National Fire Protection Association. To ensure proper chimney safety, Royal Edwards, technical director of the Chimney Safety Institute of America, recommends a certified cleaning of the chimney to ensure removal of any flammable creosote buildup. Furthermore, for a cleaner burning fire, Edwards recommends using natural gas instead of wood. Additionally, children should never be left unattended near a fireplace, and all ashes should be properly removed.

"Kids Learn Safety by Watching Cable"
Tampa Tribune (11/26/08) McKenzie, Joyce

Temple Terrace, Fla., fire fighter-paramedic Joe Cable addresses third-graders at Riverhills Elementary School twice-monthly as part of the Risk Watch program, sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association in partnership with the Home Safety Council. The pilot program, intended to help third-graders identify hazards and mitigate any harm or injuries, covers eight different areas: fire prevention, automobile safety, asphyxiation and strangulation prevention, poisoning prevention, falls prevention, safety around firearms, pedestrian safety, and water safety. Accidents are the number one cause of death for children ages one to 14, according to the Centers for Disease Control, and Temple Terrace leaders believe a youth education program will reduce the likelihood of these injuries occurring. The fire fighter, who hopes to speak at other schools as part of the program, believes fire safety is an integral part of elementary school education. "This is just one more way we can use … time and effort to teach the kids how to be safe," Cable said. "It's especially important in today's world."

"Candela Recalls Candles Due to Fire and Burn Hazards"
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (11/20/08)

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a voluntary recall of Anthropologie Tin Candles, manufactured by the Candela Group. The candle flame could potentially flare up out of the tin canister upon the burning of the last half inch of wax, posing a burn hazard. The commission recommends consumers immediately stop using the product.

"Genomics of Burn Injury and Its Promise in Clinical Practice"
Journal of Burn Care & Research (12/01/2008) Vol. 29, No. 6, P. 877; Hicks, Chindo; Khorasanee, Jacqueline; Gamelli, Richard L.

Advances in microarray technology could make it possible for researchers to discover genes that are involved in complications resulting from burn injury. Genetic dissection of burn injuries could show which genes act together to cause burn-related complications. Gene expression microarrays (GEMA) allow all genes to be transcribed simultaneously. An analysis of samples drawn from clinical studies could help medical researchers develop more effective therapies for treating burn injuries. However, it is too early to determine if gene expression microarrays will be able to be used for this purpose because there are a number of technical challenges due to the high dimensionality and noise in GEMA data.

"GE Recalls 244,000 Wall Ovens Due to Fire, Burn Hazard"
All Headline News (11/18/08) Young, Linda

General Electric has issued a recall for 244,000 wall ovens sold between October 2002 and December 2004. The ovens, sold under the GE, GE Profile, Monogram, and Kenmore brands, are being recalled due to fire and burn hazards. Some of the oven doors may have been improperly installed, leaving a gap that allows a hazardous amount of heat to escape during the self-clean cycle. GE announced there were 28 incidents which resulted in minor damage to kitchen cabinets. Consumers are advised to check their ovens to see if the door opens flat, which signals that the door was installed properly. If the door does not open flat, the self-clean cycle should not be used until a technician comes to repair the problem for free.

"Burn Center Earns National Recognition"
dBusinessNews (11/17/08)

The American Burn Association (ABA) and the American College of Surgeons (ACS) have re-verified MetroHealth Medical Center's Comprehensive Burn Care Center in Cleveland as an adult and pediatric burn center. ABA and ACS praised MetroHealth's Comprehensive Burn Care Center for its team work; newly remodeled 24-hour outpatient burn clinic; active research programs with music therapy, nursing, and pastoral care; and its many support groups. The support groups "serve as an example for other units both nationally and internationally," according to the surveying committee, adding that the MetroHealth burn unit supports life-long issues. ABA and ACS created the verification system to recognize burn centers that provide optimal care, from prevention through rehabilitation, for burn patients. Verification represents the highest national recognition a burn center can receive.

"Research From University of Texas in Burn Care Provides New Insights"
Biotech Law Weekly (11/14/08) P. 890

Researchers at the University of Texas attempting to better understand wound healing have studied the impact of burn injury on distal injury sites. They witnessed lower levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and keratinocyte-derived chemokine in wounds after three days. "This difference in wound inflammatory response was independent of changes in L-arginine metabolism (nitrate levels, inducible nitric oxide synthase expression, arginase activity), but correlated with a marked reduction in HIF-1 alpha protein levels, these findings suggest that HIF-1 alpha and the inflammatory response play a significant role in wound healing, and reduced levels of HIF-1 alpha contribute to the impaired healing response post-burn," according to M.G. Schwacha and colleagues.

"Cobra Electronics Recalls Children's Two-Way Radios With Rechargeable Batteries Due to Chemical Burn Hazard"
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (11/13/08)

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a voluntary recall of Cobra Electronics Children’s Two-Way Radios. The radios’ accompanying rechargeable batteries leak electrolyte, posing a chemical burn hazard to consumers. The commission recommends consumers immediately stop using the product and contact the company for a replacement.

The inclusion of articles in the IAFF Burn Foundation Briefing does not imply the IAFF or IAFF Burn Foundation's endorsement of their content nor any particular organizations or programs highlighted in these articles. Articles are intended to increase awareness of media coverage of topics relevant to our community and are provided for informational purposes only.

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