Don’t let a minor burn derail your early summer getaway

(BPT) - Vacation rentals are quickly becoming a popular post-pandemic vacation, as they allow people to get away from the stressors of daily life with the comforts of a home and safety away from other travelers.

However, it may feel a bit uncomfortable trying to navigate the different appliances inside a vacation rental. Being unfamiliar with appliances and other home features increases your burn risk, which can put a blister on your vacation plans.

Preventing burns at your vacation rental home

Here are a few of the items that pose the highest burn risk and what you can do to stay safe on your vacation:

The stove/oven

There are many ways you can burn yourself on a new oven/stove, but by familiarizing yourself with the new stove/oven first, you can reduce the risk of you or a loved one burning themselves. Know whether the stove is gas or electric and reference the instruction manual if available.

If you do get burned by the stove/oven, it will likely be no worse than a first-degree burn.

Registered nurse Laura Gardon says that immersing your burn immediately in cool water will help ease the pain; applying a burn relief product like Alocane will also help. Its water-based formula with 4 percent Lidocaine (the strongest topical anesthetic available over the counter) will help ease the pain. And because it is also infused with aloe vera and vitamin E, it will help heal your skin after a burn. If you get a blister from the burn, Gardon suggests to leave it alone, even if you’re tempted to pop it.

The grill

Like the stove/oven, grills can also leave you susceptible to burns, mainly if you're accustomed to using your home grill.

Preheating instructions are different for charcoal grills and gas grills, so it’s important to refer to the instruction manual before you try and turn it on. Charcoal grills typically require 20 minutes to preheat, while gas grills only need about half that time. For safely testing a preheated gas grill, turn the valve for the propane tank then turn on a burner and press the ignite button. If it lights successfully and the flame is steady, it’s most likely safe to turn on the other burners. Avoid skin contact with grates when they're hot, and avoid the exterior of the grill as well. If you have young kids playing outside, make sure you keep them away from the grill, as they can burn themselves if they touch the exterior. For flame safety, it’s always important to keep a fire extinguisher or hose nearby.

If you do get burned by your vacation rental grill, Gardon says to place the burn in cool water, which can help the swelling, wipe it gently with soap and water and cover it with a nonstick gauze bandage.

Alocane’s complete product line can offer relief for all types of minor burns. By utilizing the most effective natural ingredients, Alocane can help you find pain relief when you need it most. It can also help prevent your skin from scarring.

The fire pit

Gathering around the firepit on vacation is one of the best ways to bond with family. However, it's also important to pay attention to the risks that can come with using one as well.

According to a recent NBC report, firepits have become more popular in recent years, but so have burns and injuries associated with them.

To avoid injury, you will want to keep your children and any pets you bring along at least 3 feet away from the fire. When you’re lighting the fire, make sure you do the appropriate amount of kindling or use the appropriate amount of paper on the wood and have everyone stand back when you’re lighting it. In case the fire starts sparking, you'll also want to have a fire extinguisher or hose nearby.

Don’t let a burn ruin your summer fun

By taking the right safety steps and precautions, you can limit the chances that you or a loved one will get burned during your stay in a vacation rental. However, if you or a loved one do get burned, Alocane is launching the Ask Alocane Burn Hotline. Registered nurses will be available to give you advice for dealing with minor burns. This hotline will run May 29-31 and July 3-5; hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST. You can call the hotline at 1-866-256-2263 (ALOCANE). Separately, a virtual chat will be available May 29-July 31, 7-days a week from 9 a.m. - 11 p.m. CST. Check out the Ask Alocane website at www.alocane.com/hotline. To learn more about Alocane gel, burn pads and new spray visit www.alocane.com.