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Barbecue accidents with young children expert warns of fire accelerator
Sunshine, a cold beer, delicious sausages and a juicy steak on the grill: for many Germans this is the ideal of a successful summer's day. The joy of the BBQ fans can be quickly clouded. In the barbecue season accidents with burns are not uncommon. Especially for the protection of children should be better avoided on fire accelerator.
Burns from barbecue accidents
For many families, the grill is lit on warm days and balmy summer evenings. Barbecuing together is fun - and unfortunately can be extremely dangerous, especially for small children. Far too often happen heavy barbecue accidents with bad burns. Experts therefore point out repeatedly that when grilling no methylated spirits should be used.
When grilling, unfortunately, it always comes back to accidents with severe burns. Experts advise against using accelerators. (Image: Sauerlandpics / fotolia.com) Especially small children at risk
The pediatric surgeons at the University Hospital Leipzig (UKL) also want to draw attention to the dangers during the current barbecue season. According to the experts, especially the two- and three-year-olds are at risk. You should never stay near hot barbecues.
As Prof. Martin Lacher, director of the Department of Pediatric Surgery and specialist in the treatment of burns, said in a communication, barbecue accidents are more severe than "normal" burn injuries with children.
The consequences: "Often months of inpatient stays, multiple surgeries, dressing changes because of pain only under general anesthesia. In addition, there are often psychological consequences, "said the physician.
Burns after barbecue accidents require a very complex treatment by a highly specialized, interdisciplinary team. Pediatric surgeons, pediatric intensive care physicians and anesthesiologists must work together.
Treatment times are long, the small patients need to be isolated. Visible scars, restricted mobility and subsequent psychological damage are often left behind.
Direct heat and burning clothes
Mostly it is children of kindergarten age who are injured in barbecue accidents. "Very vulnerable are infants," said Prof. Lacher, "they underestimate the danger and approach the grill out of curiosity."
What makes barbecue accidents so dangerous compared to other thermal injuries such as scalding??
"Above all, it's the high energy of glowing coals and the direct heat caused by a jet of flame that could possibly result in improper use of accelerators," explained the pediatric surgeon.
It gets particularly bad when the clothes catch fire. This creates deep burns. In very severe burn accidents, the child inhales the smoke of the fire, so that the burn injuries can still be a smoke poisoning with lung damage.
Prof. Lacher: "This combination is not typical for barbecue accidents, but we always have them in mind."
Do not use accelerants
Therefore, the doctor advises urgently to never lose sight of small children in the vicinity of a barbecue and especially to abstain from accelerants such as alcohol or gasoline. If it has come to an accident, the burned body surfaces should be cooled.
However, not all burns must be permanently cooled. "If the burns are extensive," says Lacher, "chilling can become a problem. Then the child should be wrapped in blankets, "said the expert.
Not only accidents, but also various chemical substances, which can occur during grilling, represent a health risk.
So the smoke may contain so-called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, short PAK, which can cause cancer. These arise, for example, when fat or marinade dripping into the fire or the barbecue meat with beer is extinguished.
However, if some tips and tricks are taken into account, the BBQ can also be designed without harmful harmful substances.
For example, the crustaceans can be reduced during grilling, for example, by the right preparation and marinades. (Ad)