NHS issues official Pancake Day warning doctors braced for surge in demand
People are warned to be cautious on Pancake Day after a surge in online searches for advice on burns.
NHS England officials say the main NHS website sees a dramatic increase in searches for burns and scalds on Shrove Tuesday - which is today.
It says they see an average rise from 3,200 to 5,300 views based on data from the past two years.
The risks while cooking pancakes include accidentally touching the gas or electric stove, touching the hot pan, and hot oil or butter splattering out.
The NHS burns and scalds page includes advice on prevention, treatment and symptoms, such as caring for blisters, red or peeling skin, swelling and even white or charred skin.
Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade
The NHS warns about the dangers of burns on Pancake Day (Getty Images/iStockphoto)The advice includes getting the individual away from the heat source, removing any clothing or jewellery near the burnt skin and cooling the burn with cool or lukewarm running water for 20 to 30 minutes.
If someone has a burn they should not use iced water or any creams or greases like butter.
Once the burn is cool, it is advised to cover it with cling film or a clean plastic bag can help.
Painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can be used to treat any pain.
Those who have suffered an acid or chemical burn should call 999.
The website also details when people should seek further medical attention.
People at greater risk from the effects of burns, such as children under 10 years old, should also get medical attention after a burn or scald.
Robert Cleary, NHS England’s content director for the NHS website, said: “The NHS website is available every day of the year for anyone who needs it and is often the first port of call for anyone seeking health advice.
“This is evident in the annual spike we see in visits to our burns page on Pancake Day each year, as people seek advice for cooking-related injuries.
“The site provides information and advice in easy-to-understand language on a wide range of conditions, making it accessible for all and easy for people to receive health advice and support from a trustworthy source.”
Greggs, Costa & Pret coffees have 'huge differences in caffeine', says report
It comes as a survey revealed the top cooking mishaps Brits will suffer on Shrove Tuesday include their pancakes burning, ripping while cooking, or sticking to the pan – with over 25 million of the tasty treats set to go to waste next week.
A poll of 2,000 adults found that the typical UK household will make five pancakes on the big day next Tuesday (February 21st) – but 19% of these won't be successful.
Across the UK, this will add up to 25,133,195 pancakes being deemed inedible, with 38% destined for the bin, while 11% will be fed to pets – although three in ten (29%) will eat their failed pancakes regardless.
Other common pancake flops Brits have faced, and expect to experience again, include lumps of flour or bits of broken eggshell in the batter, or flipping the pancake and it landing on the floor or the hob.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
