Loyola Medicine Burn Center provides tips on burn prevention during holiday cooking

CONTACT:

Allison Peters 
allison.peters@luhs.org
708-216-6140

MAYWOOD, IL – The holidays are a time for gathering with friends and family, giving thanks and enjoying a meal together. It can also be a time of stress and distractions in the kitchen, which can lead to burns and fires. Over the Thanksgiving holiday, many people test out new recipes or cooking methods that can quickly turn dangerous, like deep frying a turkey.

John Kubasiak, MD, regional director of Loyola Medicine's Burn Center, warns cooks to be extra cautious around the holidays to prevent burn injuries. Loyola's Burn Center is the largest in Illinois and a regional leader in treating adult and pediatric burns.

“During the holiday season, we see an increase in patients with burn injuries in our emergency department,” said Dr. Kubasiak. “Even competent chefs can become overwhelmed in the kitchen around the holidays, with more people in the home causing distractions, cooking for a larger group, trying out an unfamiliar recipe or even cooking in loose clothing can lead to an accident.” 

Keeping cooking areas clean and distraction-free, avoiding loose clothing like sleeves that can catch fire and turning pot handles to the middle of the stove can greatly minimize the risk of burns while cooking.

Deep-frying a turkey presents an even higher risk. "I’m not convinced it can be done safely based on the number of experienced chefs we see each holiday," said Dr. Kubasiak. "Boiling oil gets much hotter than water, and when moisture from a frozen turkey hits the oil, it can splatter in all directions."

Visit a hospital with a burn center for a serious burn

If you experience any burns this holiday season, Loyola Medicine's Burn Center can provide guidance on how to properly care for the injury to prevent lasting damage. “Some signs that a burn might be serious include skin discoloration (especially if the skin turns white or black), swelling, loss of sensation and burns covering a large area of the body," said Dr. Kubasiak. "If burns cover more than a hand-sized area or affect the face, eyes, hands or feet, definitely seek medical treatment."

Most physicians are not trained in advanced burn care, and treating serious burns requires a multidisciplinary approach, which is why it's best to visit a hospital or care center with a dedicated burn unit. Severe burns can cause problems that affect other parts of the body, some requiring specialized nursing or surgical care. Burn centers can also provide the physical and occupational therapy and psychosocial support needed when recovering from serious burns.

Accidents, especially burns, can happen quickly and leave lasting effects. It’s important to remember that everyone can play a role in preventing burns and keeping loved ones safe this holiday season.

How to treat a burn and when to get help 

Burn and trauma surgeon, Joshua Carson, MD, provides information on burn treatment and when to seek medical attention in this video.

To learn more about Loyola Medicine and the Burn Center or to schedule an appointment, visit loyolamedicine.org.