Gas Burn

 written by: Wahida Sabir

The use of fuel, especially liquid gas, with minimal carelessness, could cause serious risks to consumers.

According to the information provided by the authorities of Istiqlal hospital in Kabul city, about 6-10 burned people are being brought to this hospital every week and this number doubles during winters.

The writer/producer AEPO has talked to some people, burnt by liquid gas and a physician in Isteqlal hospital in Kabul city.

Sayed Hekmatullah, a resident of Takhar province says:

I am a baker. One-day early in the morning, when I wanted to light the gas, suddenly it burned and its flames burned me and the whole shop.

Malalai, a resident of Kabul province says:

A gas cylinder burned in our home. my mother and my niece died of it. My aunt and the wife of my brother are injured.

Rahimullah, a resident of Herat province says:

When I entered our living room, I sensed the smell of gas. I opened the windows and a few minute later, I lit my lighter and suddenly the gas burned and it burned me and my house.

Doctor Sherin Alam, a physician at Istiqlal hospital says:

There are three types of burns:

First-degree burns are considered mild compression to other burns. They result in pain and reddening of the epidermis. Second-degree burns (partial thickness burns) affect lower layer of skin. They cause pain, redness, swelling, and blistering.

Third-degree burns (full thickness burns) go through the dermis and affect deeper tissues. They result in white or blackened, charred skin that may be numb.

First Aids:

Qiyamudin, a resident of Shakardara, district of Kabul province says:

A gas cylinder burned in our neighbor house. I went there and throw away the gas cylinder then I rescued a child and carried him to the hospital.

Doctor Sherin Alam says: the first aids depend on the types of the burns. First-degree burns pain could be reduced by using cold water. In the second-degree burn, they should remove the clothes from the patient very carefully and should wrap the burned place with soft and clean cloth and in the third-degree burn, they should cut the patient’s clothes with scissors and carry him/her to the nearest hospital for essential treatment.

Liquids, soup, eggs and fresh fruits are useful during treatment.