Nearly 1,700 fires had erupted since June 21 in the US Pacific Coast area, from southern Oregon to north of Los Angeles. The red flag hazard area has threatened so many homes and lives of citizens living in the area.

Weather service meteorologist in the US said it is currently an explosive fire growth potential. The Forestry Department or CalFire reported spending more than $100 million dollars to stop the blaze.

Burn injury

The skin is the largest organ of the body. A serious burn injury can cause death or alter your life. Yearly, there are about 500,000 people who are treated for burn injuries in the US. There are many causes:

• Electricity

• Fire

• Hot liquids

• Chemicals

• Radiation exposure

• Defective household and industrial products

• Flammable materials

• Car accidents

• Structural fires

• Gas explosions

• Workplace accidents

• Faulty electrical wiring

Simple, minor burns are easy to treat with basic first air. Serious burn injuries, on the other hand, are harder to cure. It can even result to death if it’s a third degree burn.

Types of Burn Injuries

• Scald Burns from hot water or steam

• First degree/superficial burns

• Second degree burns

• Third degree burn

• Fourth degree burn

Treating burns

According to the Mayo Clinic, basic first aid is the usual type of treatment for a minor burn. Cool the burnt skin under running water or place a cold compress on top of the burn then put sterile gauze on top. There are also pain relievers you can take to lessen the pain.

But with severe pains and higher degree of burns, it is often advisable that you go to a hospital for treatment. Hospitalization is very important since medical professionals can manage to handle complications like pain, shock, fluid loss, nutritional support, infection and respiratory distresses. You may also be released immediately if they find your condition not so serious.

Apart from that, there are compression therapies, skin splice, plastic surgery, etc. that may help you from scarring. Compression therapy, skin graft, plastic surgery and other treatments to help minimize scarring, contractures and other disfigurements. There are some who might need physical and occupational therapies to maximize their mobility and function.

Prevention of Burn Injuries at Home

Prevention is the key to protect you from hazardous situations like burning yourself. You may follow some of these steps:

• Install smoke alarms on every floor of the home and near all sleeping quarters. Make sure to test the alarms on a monthly basis and replace the batteries as recommended.

• Develop and practice an escape plan that includes at least two ways out of every room and a central outdoor meeting spot.

• Adopt safer cooking practices such as using the back burners, and take special care to keep young children away from the stove.

• Set your water heater thermostat to no more than 120 degrees.

Different types of Damages:

Specific Damages- you can reimburse rehabilitation expenditures, lost income (prior and post accidents), nursing care, etc.

General Damages- these are damages are not determined by using bills, paychecks and the like—such as compensation for pain and suffering, scarring, disfigurement, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Wrongful Death Damages- families who lost their loved ones may sue. Damages include "funeral expenses, medical expenses, past and future earnings the decedent would have provided his loved ones if not for the wrongful death, and the loss of advice, care, comfort and companionship the deceased would have provided had he or she lived."

Punitive Damages- If the defendant's conduct was particularly appalling, disciplinary may be charged to the one at fault both personal injury and wrongful death cases.