Burn injuries caused by chip-pan fires: the Edinburgh experience

Thirty-two patients were admitted to the South-East Scotland Burn Unit over a 4-year period (1990–1994), with burns sustained as a consequence of chip-pan fires. This represented 7 per cent of all admissions to the unit. Fourteen patients came from the Edinburgh city area, and 18 from surrounding countries. There were 14 males and 18 females, and an average age of 51.6 years. The average burn surface area was 4.7 per cent. Eighteen patients had burns to their hands, this being the most common area involved. Fourteen patients were managed conservatively, and 18 needed operative intervention. The patients spent an average of 19.4 days in hospital, and they required 46.3 days for complete healing to take place. Prevention by increased community awareness and widespread education is necessary to minimize the incidence, morbidity and cost of this relatively common and preventable type of burn.