K 97: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 2-8, 2025, as Burn Awareness Week in the State of New York

 Assembly Resolution No. 97 BY: M. of A. Zinerman MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 2-8, 2025, as Burn Awareness Week in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official weeks that are set aside to increase awareness of serious issues that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 2-8, 2025, as Burn Awareness Week in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Burn Awareness Week; and WHEREAS, National Burn Awareness Week, an initiative of the American Burn Association, is a chance to unite and promote burn prevention and awareness in communities; and WHEREAS, Burn prevention is more critical than ever considering the devastating wildfires that have impacted communities; and WHEREAS, This year's theme, "Burn Prevention Starts Where You Live," focuses on practical actions to minimize burn hazards in everyday living spaces, including kitchens, bathrooms, sleeping areas, and storage spaces; simple measures, such as testing smoke alarms, setting water heaters to safe temperatures, and securely storing flammable items, can significantly reduce the risk of injury; and WHEREAS, Burn injuries continue to be one of the leading causes of accidental death and injury in our Nation where tragically, children, the elderly, and the disabled are especially vulnerable to burn injuries, and almost one-third of all burn injuries occur in children under the age of 15; and WHEREAS, In the United States, the CDC reports 398,000 people received medical care for treatment of burn injuries in 2021, with 252,000 deaths from injuries related to hot objects or substances (e.g. contact burns); and WHEREAS, Compared to the overall population, children under five were two times as likely to be seen for burn injuries at a hospital emergency department; young adults from 20 to 29 had 1.4 times the risk, and those in the 30-39 age group had 1.3 times the risk of the general population; and WHEREAS, The primary causes of injury include fire-flame, scalds, contact with hot objects, and electrical and chemicals; most of the injuries occur in the home; today, 96.8% of those who suffer burn injuries will survive; unfortunately, many of those survivors will sustain serious scarring, life-long physical disabilities, and adjustment difficulties; and WHEREAS, National Burn Awareness Week is a coming together of burn, fire, and life safety educators to make the public aware of the frequency, devastation, and causes of burn injury as well as consistent and authoritative measures to prevent these injuries and how to best care for those that are injured; and WHEREAS, Significant research and medical advances have dramatically improved burn care and treatment, aided rehabilitation, shortened hospital stays, and increased burn survival rates; aftercare support for the physical and emotional effects of burns has also played a key role in the successful reintegration of burn survivors into our communities; furthermore, burn safety education and prevention efforts continue to reduce the number of people who suffer burns each year; and WHEREAS, Many people devote their lives and careers to treating, caring for, supporting, and rehabilitating burn injury survivors, including those performing vital work in burn research and development; there are dedicated firefighters who risk their own lives every day to protect others, as well as burn foundations and other life safety professionals who promote burn injury awareness and prevention; and WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater awareness of both the prevention and preparedness of fires and burns, and more must be done to increase activity at the local, State and National levels; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 2-8, 2025, as Burn Awareness Week in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York.