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ALFRED Health has recorded a five-year-high in burn admissions to the hospital last financial year, with 362 admissions. This comes as Alfred Health group, the CFA, and Fire Rescue Victoria issued a joint statement urging Victorians to be safe around the barbeque on Australia day. Alfred Health Victorian adult burns unit director Associate Professor Heather Cleland said burns stemming from recreational activities like barbeques were of particular concern. "Young men between 20 - 29 were overrepresented last year, especially when it came to burns stemming from incidents involving activities such as barbeques and campfires," Professor Cleland said. READ MORE: "If you are lighting a fire this weekend, don't use accelerants as they're a recipe for disaster. Almost 30 per cent of hospital burn admissions last year caused by a fire were fuelled by accelerants." CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said Victorians travelling interstate for Australia day must check fire restrictions and weather conditions. "An uncontrolled fire can not only cause burns and injuries to you, but it can spark a bushfire or grassfire that threatens other people's lives and properties as well," Chief officer Heffernan said. "It's important to use water when extinguishing a campfire, as it can smoulder for several days under soil and reignite under the right conditions."
ALFRED Health has recorded a five-year-high in burn admissions to the hospital last financial year, with 362 admissions.
This comes as Alfred Health group, the CFA, and Fire Rescue Victoria issued a joint statement urging Victorians to be safe around the barbeque on Australia day.
Alfred Health Victorian adult burns unit director Associate Professor Heather Cleland said burns stemming from recreational activities like barbeques were of particular concern.
"Young men between 20 - 29 were overrepresented last year, especially when it came to burns stemming from incidents involving activities such as barbeques and campfires," Professor Cleland said.
"If you are lighting a fire this weekend, don't use accelerants as they're a recipe for disaster. Almost 30 per cent of hospital burn admissions last year caused by a fire were fuelled by accelerants."
CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said Victorians travelling interstate for Australia day must check fire restrictions and weather conditions.
"An uncontrolled fire can not only cause burns and injuries to you, but it can spark a bushfire or grassfire that threatens other people's lives and properties as well," Chief officer Heffernan said.
"It's important to use water when extinguishing a campfire, as it can smoulder for several days under soil and reignite under the right conditions."
