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.