Hundreds of people are killed in different types of fires in Bangladesh every year. According to the latest figures from the Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defense Department, there were 24,074 fires in the country from January to December 2019. Of these, more than eight thousand have caught fire in residential buildings. At least 174 people lost their lives in the blaze. And, 560 people were injured. The media reported on the BBC.
How to put out any kind of fire?
According to the World Health Organization, 15 percent of the body is burned in adults and 10 percent in children.
However, this measure does not always apply to very young children or newborns and adults. In these cases, less than 10 or 15 percent of the burns, but many times it can be fatal.
The greater the amount of burns, the greater the risk of death. In addition it is related to age. That is, in the case of older people, even a small amount of burns can be fatal.
In this regard, Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery Assistant Professor. Sharmin Akhter Sumi said that in some cases, less than 30 percent burns are also dangerous.
Professor Dr. Sharmin Akhter said, "When the burn is very deep, when the patient is very old or very young, if the patient has any other health problems such as blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, those who are obese, those who have weak immunity - the amount of burns in these cases. Even if it is not too much, the situation becomes much worse. '
Professor Dr. thinks that the level of danger is also involved with how many parts of the body were burnt. Sharmin Akhter.
The condition worsens when more than 15 percent of the human body is burned. If it is more than 30 percent, there is a need for extended treatment.
If more than 40 percent of the body is burned, the patient is considered critical.
"If it is more than 80 percent, it is assumed that he has no hope of survival," he added. Sharmin Akhter.
How is the calculation of burning in the fire?
According to the World Health Organization, the whole body is captured 100 percent to measure burns. Then the different parts are divided into separate parts. For example, keeping the finger open, the whole palm of the hand is held together.
If the burn is small in size, then the size of that part is calculated as many times as the palm of the hand.
According to the World Health Organization, in the case of adults, the whole human body is calculated as 9 percent or multiplied by 9.
In this regard, Dr. Sharmin Akhter Sumi said that in adults, the front and back of the fingers to the neck together 9 percent. The front part of the foot is 9 percent and the back part is 9 percent. In other words, 16 percent of the whole leg is caught.
Dr. Sharmin Akter Sumi said, ‘There is a separate chart for measuring these in medical science. According to him, these are measured.
However, in the case of children, this calculation is a little different. The front and back of the children's head are caught 20 percent. But in adults, 9 percent of the front and back of the head are caught.
How severe is any type of burn?
How deep an object burns depends on how long it has been in contact with the fire, what kind of fire it burned, and what the temperature of the object was. These combine burns are divided into three parts.
These are-
Contact burn: It is burning with something. Exposure to liquids or solids. For example, burning in a hot pot or coin.
Flame burn: Burns in direct contact with fire. That is, the fire is put on clothes or on the body.
Chemical burn: When burnt on contact with different types of chemicals, it is considered as chemical burn.
Flame burn is the most in Bangladesh, said Dr. Sharmin Akter Sumi.
According to the World Health Organization, there are three types of burns according to depth or dimension.
First Degree Burn: This is mainly due to the heat of the sun. It can cause redness of the skin, pain, but no blisters.
Second Degree Burn: This type of burn can be caused by contact with a hot liquid. The skin becomes red or gray and burns or glows.
Third degree burn: It burns the skin black and takes on a deadly shape. Fire, lightning or thunder; Or long-term exposure to hot liquids or metals may actually cause such burns.
Why is bronchitis bad?
It is often seen that when it comes in contact with fire, it goes to the trachea. Such burns are very risky, said Dr. Sharmin Akter Sumi.
If set on fire with petrol or any combustible substance; Or if there is a fire from gas or if there is a fire in a closed place, the fear of burning the trachea is highest.
Dr. Sharmin Akhter Sumi said that burns are the most serious because they directly affect the lungs.
The breath that we do not breathe goes to the lungs through a duct. This air contains small elements, which cannot be seen with the naked eye. These go into the lungs and cause infections.
Dr. Sharmin Akhtar Sumi said, ‘Microorganisms in the environment or in the air cannot penetrate the skin. But when the skin burns, they easily infect the lungs and muscles. '
These microorganisms cause infections in the lungs through the respiratory tract. Which causes pneumonia. Because of this it creates an additional risk, said Dr. Sharmin Akter Sumi.
What measures can be taken in the initial stage?
Physicians and experts have come up with some suggestions on what to do in the event of a fire.
The World Health Organization and the UK's Department of National Health Services (NHS) have also mentioned some suggestions. These are-
1. Pour plenty of water
Sheikh Hasina National Institute 4 Camel of Burn and Plastic Surgery Assistant Professor. Sharmin Akhter Sumi said the first half hour of the fire is very important. At this time as much water as possible should be poured on the patient's body. Just pouring water can reduce the amount of burns.
Dr. Sharmin Akhtar Sumi said, "Where 20 per cent was burnt, it may be reduced to 15 or 10 per cent."
According to the UK Department of National Health Services, burns should be washed with running cold water for at least 20 minutes. However, ice, ice cold water, any kind of ointment or oily substance such as butter should not be given.
2. Take off clothes and jewelry
If someone is the victim of a fire, their clothes and jewelry should be taken off as soon as possible.
In case of children, if there is a nappy or diaper, it should be taken off.
But if any metal or piece of cloth is stuck with the burnt skin or muscle, it cannot be removed. In this case, the wound is more likely to grow.
After pouring water, try to keep the patient's body warm so that hypothermia does not occur. In that case he can be wrapped in a blanket. However, the part of the body that has been burned, so that there is no kind of clothing should be taken care of.
3. Take to the hospital as soon as possible
The first 24 hours after a fire are very important. Experts believe that it is possible to reduce the risk of death of the patient if he is taken to the hospital during this period.
Dr. Sharmin Akhter Sumi said that if the patient is taken to the hospital within 24 hours, he can be given up to 20-30 liters of saline as per his requirement. But it is not possible to give more than three or four liters after more time has elapsed. This increases his risk.
The benefits of giving saline in the first 24 hours are not available later. This is why these 24 hours are called 'Golden Hour' for burn patients.
4. Toothpaste, salt, egg whites cannot be given
The burn patient should not be given toothpaste, salt or egg whites on his wound site. These are initially kept sterile but later lead to infection.
These things are cleaned after being taken to the hospital. And then there is a fear that the skin will come up because they are frozen. In other words, there is a risk that the wound of the infected person will become deeper.
If the patient's face or eyes are burnt, try to keep the patient upright as long as possible. This reduces blisters or swelling.
5. You need to eat more fluids
If it is not possible to give saline to the burnt patient, at least saline, coconut water or liquid food should be given more in the mouth.
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Very informative article