MONTREAL – Sainte-Justine Hospital is raising the alarm after five children were treated for severe burns.
Doctors are warning specifically about the use of accelerants (gasoline, butane) to help light campfires and barbecues.
According to pediatric plastic surgeon Dr. Patricia Egerszegi, cases usually involve adolescents who use accelerants when adults are not present.
This year is unusual because in all cases so far, adults were the ones adding the accelerants that resulted in small explosions.
“Even if the flame is small or extinguished, adding an accelerant could incite an explosion that could injury people meters away,” said Egerszegi.
“When it explodes your clothes and hair catch fire so the burn continues.”
In two other cases, toddlers have fallen into campfires or wandered into campfire sites that were assumed to be extinguished.
Egerszegi warned that even if a fire appears to be out, coals can remain hot for hours.
Injuries include third and second degree burns to the face, chest, arms and ears.
In many cases skin grafts are needed.
“There’s nothing that we can do to erase the damage,” she said.
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