Jay Leno was burned this weekend as the result of a gasoline fire in his garage, according to the Grossman Burn Center in Los Angeles, where he is being treated. He was reportedly working on a car in his garage when the incident occurred.
“We are glad to hear that Mr. Leno is doing well and wish him a speedy recovery. He will receive excellent, specialized care at the burn center,” commented ABA President Ingrid Parry, MS, PT, BT-C.
US municipal fire department responded to an estimated 51,600 fires per year due to ignition of flammable gas and another 160,910 fires per year due to ignition of a flammable or combustible liquid from 2007-2011, according to the National Fire Protection Association. The flammable gas fires resulted in an estimated 168 deaths, 1,029 injuries, and $644 million in property damage per year.
If a gasoline-related flame burn injury has occurred, remove the victim from any flame source and stop the burning process by smothering any flames on clothing. Then, call 911. If possible, bystanders should carefully remove burned clothing not sticking to the body and any unburned clothing saturated with gasoline. Cool the body with water, flushing with water will also help reduce the amount of toxic gasoline chemicals entering the body through the burn wound.
Most injuries occur at home through misuse or improper storage. Even products such as turpentine or tile bonding agents can present a serious risk of flame or chemical injury if not used with fire safety in mind.
Gasoline’s only proper use is to power engines. Fill gas-powered equipment only when the engine is cool. Gasoline should be stored in an approved portable container and placed in as secure, cool, well-ventilated area away from the house, potential flame sources, and out of the reach of children. Don’t open gas cans in basements or garages or other closed in spaces where the vapor is more likely to ignite because of less air movement and more ignition sources. Fumes are capable of ignition up to 12 feet from the source.
Additional burn prevention safety tips can be found at https://ameriburn.org/advocacy-and-prevention/prevention-resources/.
