National “Be Burn Aware” Campaign

Back Row (L-R) – Captain Sammy Solomon, Lee Rayburn of Shriners, School Resource Officer and Ass’t Chief Maurice Solomon / Front Row (L-R) Bill Gentry Potentate of Kerbela Shriner, Principal Chris Vineyard, Greg France of the Shriners, AC Carr of Shriners and Fire Chief Frank Solomon

In recognition of the Shriner’s Hospital for Children national Be Burn Aware campaign the Jefferson County Shrine Club presented Rush Strong School in Strawberry Plains with Burn Awareness Week prevention materials. The Jefferson County Shrine Club is part of the Kerbela Shriners Of Knoxville. The intent of the Burn Awareness Week campaign is to educate children and their parents on the dangers of burns to children. 85 percent of all children seen in doctor’s offices or in hospitals for burns are preventable. 65 percent are from scalding type burns of overly hot tap water or boiling liquids like boiling water or soups. 20 percent are from contact burns with hot surfaces like stove tops, heaters and curling irons.

The materials given included activity books on burn prevention for children ages 3-7 and 8-12, parents take Home safety cards and posters for the school walls that give many various safety tips on burn prevention and safety. Accepting the donation of the materials for Rush Strong School is Principal Chris Vineyard and School Resource Officer Maurice Solomon. Representing Jefferson County Shrine Club and Kerbela Shriners of Knoxville are Clay Carr, Greg France and Lee Rayburn. New Market Fire and Rescue Team which provides fire protection to Strawberry Plains was asked to be a part of the presentation underscoring the importance of the Be Burn Aware Campaign. According to Shriner Lee Rayburn we have national campaigns for seat belt safety, bicycle helmet and car seat safety and a need for smoke detectors in the home. It only makes sense that since the Shriners Hospital for Children treat children with burns that they would include a campaign to keep them from being burned. It is great when the Kerbela Shriners of Knoxville can partner with local fire departments and schools to reach more children and get the prevention and safety message out and into the homes.