​The winter season is upon us and the need to keep warm using prima stove heaters, 'mbaulas', gas heaters and bathing with hot water has increased together with the risk of burns injuries if people are not cautious. 
Everyone, young or old, runs the risk of burns injuries. So, it is important that precautionary measures be taken to prioritise safety while keeping warm this winter. 
According to Dr Njabulo Dumakude, Senior Registerer in Plastics and Reconstruction surgery at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, most burns accidents can actually be minimised and avoided. 
"We need to ensure that we minimise accidental injuries and avoidable injuries during the winter season by empower communities with knowledge so they can make informed decisions regarding safety especially at home," said Dumakude. 
While the majority of the population uses gas heaters, it is important that they regularly check the connections and hoses for gas leaks on the heaters. Gas leaks can mix with air and create an explosive mixture that ignites easily when exposed to naked flames or sparks, causing serious burn injuries which are sometimes fatal. 
It is also important that the public ensure that heaters, whether gas or electric, do not get exposed to blankets, curtains and carpets amongst others, as that can cause flames. Some of the burns patients admitted at hospitals have attributed their injuries to blankets and clothes catching a fire from heaters after dozing off while keeping warm. 
Dumakude also said that it is important that parents, guardians and caregivers ensure that children are supervised and kept at safe distance and from heaters as they play around at home.
"Parents should ensure that they do not leave anything hot within reach of children. As it gets colder, they should also ensure that they run bathwater for their young ones and test how hot it is before the child gets in the bathtub," he added. 
In case one sustains burns injuries at home, it is important that the public never apply cooking oil, petroleum jelly, butter, tooth paste or Potassim Permanganate on a burn wound. These may worsen the burn by introducing a chemical insult on the wound which converts it to a chemical burn. 
 
First Aid measures to treat burns injuries
Rule number 1 is to ensure that the 1st aider only proceeds with 1st aid if it's safe to do so. 
Scald burns - apply cool running water over the area, the use of ice packs is discouraged as it may decrease blood flow to the area 
Electrical burns- ensure that the wires are no longer live before approaching the victim, these victims may require CPR as these injuries may affect the cardiac rhythm. 
For any emergencies, communities are urged to contact the Gauteng Emergency Medical Services on 10177 for 112 or go to their nearest healthcare facility for treatment.