Burn Prevention in the Elderly: Identifying Age and Gender Differences in Consumer Products Associated With Burn Injuries

Abstract

Elderly suffer worse outcomes from burns; thus, it is important to identify the causes of burns in the elderly to develop burn prevention campaigns. We performed a 10-year review of burns that were registered in the NEISS database. We included patients at least 65 years old and analyzed the top five products that caused burn injury. In adults 65 to 74 years old, hot water was the most common cause of burns. Women suffered more burns by candles and cookware. Heaters/heating systems and gasoline were among the top five causes of burns in only men. For the age group 75 to 84 years old, the most common burn was from hot water in women and gasoline in men. For women, the top five included candles, nightwear, and cookware. Only men suffered gasoline burns. The majority of daywear, home/room fire, and ranges/ovens caused burns occurred in men. The majority of burns from hot water, ranges/ovens, electric heating pads, and bathtubs/showers occurred in women. For men, burns from gasoline, structural fires, and heaters are more prevalent. This data can be used to develop age- and gender-specific prevention campaigns to reduce the risk of burn injury.