Burn prevention is a key endeavor of Shriners Hospitals for Children, which is why the health care system began its Burn Awareness campaigns more than 20 years ago.

The 2009 Burn Awareness Campaign

Reckless use and improper storage of gasoline leads to thousands of young children being burned every year. These dangerous behaviors are being addressed in Shriners Hospitals 2009 Burn Awareness Week campaign.

Shriners Hospitals specializing in burns have treated more than 800 children since 2002 for acute burns due to ignition of a highly flammable material such as gasoline. To help parents, caregivers, educators and firefighters teach children about the dangers of gasoline, the 2009 campaign provides printable lesson plans and fact sheets, as well as printable coloring pages featuring Anthony the Ant, who takes kids along on his mission to prevent gasoline injuries.

“Tweens” and teens ages 10-14 years old are four times more likely to get in trouble with gasoline. For this age group, the campaign uses the personal story of Austin Bailiff, a teen who sustained serious burns over most of his body as a result of he and a friend experimenting with gasoline to set fire to a glove. Austin shares his experiences in an effort to reach out to other teens in an effort to prevent others from making the same mistake.

In addition to the resources immediately available on this Web site, Shriners Hospitals for Children is providing resources at no charge that can be used during Burn Awareness Week and throughout the year.

To share important gasoline burn prevention safety messages, Shriners Hospitals has produced as series of educational materials including a coloring book featuring Anthony the Fire Ant, fact sheets, posters and other items that can be ordered at no charge (while supplies last). **Due to overwhelming demand, 2009 Burn Awareness materials have been depleted. Fact sheets are still available on this page.**

To request a presentation about the 2009 Burn Awareness campaign or Shriners Hospitals for Children, please click here to find your local chapter of Shriners International or send an e-mail to shrinepr@shrinenet.org.

Quick Facts About Burn Injuries

• Each year in the United States, 1.1 million burn injuries require medical attention. Approximately 4,500 people die. And up to 10,000 people die every year in the U.S. from burn-related infections.
• The Shriners Hospitals for Children specializing in treating burn injuries have admitted more than 10,000 acute pediatric burn patients since 1994, including those treated for gasoline burn injuries.
• Shriners Hospitals specializing in burns have treated more than 800 children since 2002 for acute burns due to ignition of a highly flammable material such as gasoline.
• Kids ages 13 and older are in the highest at-risk group for gasoline and other flammable substance burns.
• Fires caused by gasoline are a major factor in burn injuries. In one year there were 4,700 gasoline fires in U.S. homes.
• According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission, in one year approximately 1,270 children under age 5 were treated in emergency rooms for injuries resulting from the misuse of gasoline and unsecured gasoline cans.
• Children ages 10-14 are almost four times more likely to get in trouble with gasoline.

To share important gasoline burn prevention safety messages, Shriners Hospitals for Children has produced a series of materials including a coloring book featuring Anthony the Fire Ant, fact sheets, posters and a DVD that can be ordered at no charge (while supplies last).

DVD: The Story of Austin Bailiff: This brief video emphasizes the dangers of playing with gasoline and targets teen and  tween audiences. Austin Bailiff is a teen who was severely burned after experimenting with fire and gasoline. Bailiff has endured months of surgeries, skin graphs and therapies and missed out on wrestling, playing football and his No suggestions grade graduation. Warning: video contains images that might be disturbing to younger audiences. View the video on YouTube.

To request a presentation about the 2009 Burn Awareness campaign or Shriners Hospitals for Children, find your local chapter of Shriners International here or e-mail shrinepr@shrinenet.org.

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