Ms Rebecca Schrale¹, Ms  Yvonne Echaburu

¹Tasmanian Burns Unit Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Australia

Abstract:
Wood heater related injuries have continued to increase across Tasmania. Data extracted from the Burns Registry of Australia and New Zealand (BRANZ) show that the Tasmanian Burns Unit at the Royal Hobart Hospital treated a total of 47 injuries related to heating sources in the home in 2016. 37 were wood heater related injuries, 20 of which were children.The aim of this prevention project is to increase awareness of heater related injuries, prevention strategies and burns first aid.

The campaign will include a state-wide media release, education and the distribution of posters, brochures and our ‘Cool for 20’ magnets to over 4,000 families through their local Child Health and Parenting Service (CHaPS) Centre through out  Tasmania at the 6 month Child Health check, prior to the child becoming mobile through crawling, standing and walking.

The initiative is a collaborative effort by the Tasmanian Burns Unit, the Tasmanian Fire Service and CHaPS. It has kindly been supported by the Clipsal Community Grant provided through the Julian Burton Burns Trust.

Biography:
I am an endorsed Nurse Practitioner in Burns and have been employed at the Tasmanian Burns Unit for the past 16 years. I am currently the Clinical Nurse Consultant of Burns at the Tasmanian Burns Unit at the Royal Hobart Hospital and coordinate the state-wide service