Fire Chief Marks Burn Awareness Week With Safety Tips

Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin is marking National Burn Awareness Week by urging residents to take simple precautions against one of the most common preventable injuries.

The annual awareness campaign runs through Friday and focuses on everyday burn hazards that most often occur in homes. According to the CDC, more than 398,000 Americans sought medical care for fire or burn-related injuries in 2021, with children under five facing twice the risk of the general population.

Augustin is recognizing the week-long observance organized by the American Burn Association, noting that burns are among the most common and preventable injuries. Cooking accidents, hot liquids, open flames, and electrical hazards can cause serious harm in seconds.

The Pasadena Fire Department is encouraging residents to review burn safety basics with family members. Most burns occur at home, where simple actions can prevent life-changing injuries.

Key safety steps include never leaving cooking unattended and keeping flammable items away from the stove. Turn pot handles inward and keep hot foods and liquids out of children’s reach.

Set water heaters to no higher than 120°F to help prevent scald burns. Use caution with space heaters, fireplaces, and open flames.

Keep matches and lighters stored safely and out of reach of children. Know “Stop, Drop, and Roll” if clothing catches fire.

Call 911 immediately for serious burns or any fire-related emergency.

National Burn Awareness Week brings together fire departments, healthcare professionals, and safety educators to promote burn injury prevention. The 2026 theme focuses on workplace burn prevention, though the safety principles apply wherever burns occur.

Additional burn prevention resources are available at the American Burn Association website: https://www.ameriburn.org/prevention/national-burn-awareness-week.

The Pasadena Fire Department can be reached at (626) 744-4655 for fire safety education information.