Nail polish remover warning: ‘Exploded onto her’
DAYTON, Ohio (WJW) – Flammable products that can create life-changing damage are inside every home.
Now, there is a new warning about nail polish remover, as an Ohio teen recovers from severe burns.
‘Horrific’: Ohio teen catches fire after using nail polish remover near a candle
“She was on her bed, and she was taking off her nail polish with a lit candle nearby, and it sounds like it just kind of almost exploded onto her and caught fire,” shared Dr. Alice Fagin. Dr. Fagin specializes in surgery critical care at Shriners Children’s Ohio.
14-year-old Kennedy suffered burns on 13% of her body on January 5.
She was getting ready to cheer at a basketball game when vapors from the nail polish remover ignited with the open flame of the candle.
“The fumes can be highly flammable,” Dr. Fagin added.
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Kennedy suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns on her arm, hands, stomach and thighs.
Photo courtesy Shriners Children’s Ohio Dr. Sara Higginson, Chief of Staff at Shriners Children’s Ohio with Kennedy. Photo courtesy Shriners Children’s Ohio Photo courtesy Shriners Children’s Ohio Photo courtesy Shriners Children’s Ohio Photo courtesy Shriners Children’s Ohio Photo courtesy Shriners Children’s Ohio
While Kennedy’s case sounds unique, Shriner Children’s tells FOX 8 that common burn injuries happen with ordinary products at home.
Kennedy is one of about 300 burn cases treated at Shriners Children’s each year.
Dr. Fagin says 40% of those cases are caused by scalds from hot liquids or steam.
“With younger children especially, we’re concerned about scalds. Some of the biggest culprits are coffee, tea, and hot chocolate that toddlers may grab from a counter and pull down on themselves,” share Chief of Staff Dr. Sara Higginson.
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“Another culprit of scalds are instant soups, Cup of Noodles or mac and cheese. These come out of the microwave very hot, and kids can easily spill them onto their hands or laps,” Higgins said.
Shriners Children’s doctors also want to remind parents about common flammable liquids in the home.
“Hair spray, anything aerosolized bug killer, cooking oil, grease,” Dr. Fagin said.
“You don’t necessarily need a lot, and you don’t need what you can physically see the vapor itself is flammable and can be a hazard,” she added.
“Candles and lighters and matches are ubiquitous in homes, and they really need to be put away,” Fagin cautioned.
Kennedy is working on getting stronger and doing remarkably well.
Shriners Children’s wants to help more families by educating them on common household dangers, especially flammable liquids, as part of Burn Awareness Week.
“Burn Awareness Week is a great reminder for parents to take a look at their home and be aware of the most common burn injuries in children,” said Dr. Higginson.
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“Should a burn occur, the first thing parents need to do is stop the burn process. That could be stop, drop and roll, or removing the burning clothing from the child. Then run the burned skin under cool running water – never ice – and wrap with a non-adhesive bandage or clean, dry cloth,” Higginson said.
“Accidental injury is the number one cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatrics,” Dr. Fagin told FOX 8.
Shriners Children’s Ohio has been treating pediatric burns and reconstructive surgery since the early 1960s.
The hospital can be contacted at (855)206-2096.
More safety resources here.
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