Burns cases on the rise in Bengaluru

BENGALURU: There has been a noticeable rise in burns cases of late, resulting in a 20 per cent rise in the number of deaths, according to an analysis by doctors at the Victoria Hospital here.

The major causes of burns are LPG cylinder explosion, suicide attempts by burning, petrol and kerosene spills, and electric shocks.

Victoria Hospital’s burn unit has 50 beds and sees 80 to 90 burn patients per month. Doctors say that if there are 80 people admitted, 30 to 40 will die because they would have sustained morethan 70 per cent burns, including their vital organs.

Lately, gas explosions are on the rise in the city; along with that, people have been rushed into emergency cases because of hot water spills, kerosene and petrol spills, and even being suffering electric shocks.

Dr Manjunath, plastic surgeon, Unit head at Mahabodhi Burns Centre, Victoria Hospital, Kalasipalya, said, “The number of admissions in burns ward is comparatively more now. Suicide burns cases were highest in the past and now accidental burns such as gas leak, hot water spills and electric burns are increasing. These forms of burns are increasing 15 per cent to 20 per cent , year after year. Mainly, the incident occurs in small houses due to defects in gas pipe connections and electrical burns while children are playing near high tension wires”.

Dr Manjunat, plastic surgeon, said, in these accidental burns are seem to be more in numbers because of various reason.

He further said, “Households should use tubing and regulators recommended by gas agencies. There is a chance of cylinder explosion when illegally refilling from commercial gases to domestic. Parents should take care of their children by keeping them away from heat, water, oil, etc. Acid burns are also rising and its availability needs to be regulated. On an average, 80 burns cases come for admission here every month as there are just two burns centres in Bengaluru. Out of the total admissions, 25 to 30 patients die. In most of the cases, the death rate and recovery rate depends on the percentage of burn injuries suffered”.

Burns ward

Doctors have advised parents, children, and the elderly to be extremely careful of the possible burn situations that could be created in houses unintentionally. They have also listed some precautions.

Ensure children are not around hot rasam, sambar or water pots. The smallest of spills can cause severe burns in young children.

Ensure that rats or mouses don’t chew through wires in the house, as it can be an electric shock hazard.

It is not advised to install local unbranded gas cylinders and commercial gas cylinders for household use.

Ensure you turn on the LPG cylinder regulator only in the morning and that it is turned off before sleep.

Take extra care of those going through mental distress and depression, especially if there is a quarrel at home. Take extra precaution that kerosene and petrol are inaccessible to them. Keep checking on them to make sure they are okay.

Kids should not be allowed to play near high-tension wires. Kids should also avoid flying kites as it may get entangled with power lines and cause an explosion resulting in fires and burns.