Health authorities warn about the need to prevent burn accidents.

The combination of June festivals and school holidays always increases the number of reported burn accidents. This year, the World Cup adds another risk factor: the use of fireworks. The Municipal Health Department (SMS) is issuing a warning about the prevention of this type of accident, one of the most common in domestic environments. Since the beginning of the year, the city's emergency and urgent care units and hospitals have registered 2,4 cases of burn victims.

The Burn Treatment Center (CTQ) at Andaraí Hospital, one of the largest and most important centers in the municipality for treating burn victims, has already registered 228 cases this year. The head of the service, Dr. Orido Pinheiro, reinforces the guidelines for prevention:

– The main causes of burns that arrive here at Andaraí are direct flame and electrical burns, which cause mutilation. The victims are generally people who were distracted or who have some serious condition, such as high blood pressure and hypoglycemia, and who end up falling into a flame.

The doctor issues a special warning for the most vulnerable groups.

– Extra care should be taken with children and the elderly, especially in the kitchen and around electrical outlets. When a patient suffers a high-voltage burn, for example, they lose tissue, and we need to act quickly. Prevention is the best antidote.

This is what happened to 6-year-old Isadora Vitória Barbosa de Andrade. While playing with a lighter, the flame caught on her shirt, causing burns to her hands and stomach. The girl was taken by her mother, Joseane Barbosa, to the Manguinhos Emergency Care Unit (UPA), where she received initial treatment, but due to the high degree of the injuries, the child was transferred to the Burn Treatment Center (CTQ) at Andaraí Hospital. After a month of hospitalization, Isadora was discharged on June 14th, after undergoing skin grafting and hydrotherapy treatment.

– We had just arrived home when I started hearing screams. When I looked, Isadora was already on fire. It was the first time she had played with fire. I immediately took my daughter to the UPA (Emergency Care Unit) and then she was transferred to the Andaraí Hospital, where she underwent procedures and has been improving every day – recalls Joseane.

The municipal health network has referral centers.

In addition to the Burn Treatment Center (CTQ) at Andaraí Hospital, the Municipal Health Department (SMS) has CTQs at Souza Aguiar Hospital in the city center and Pedro II Hospital in Santa Cruz, which are also reference centers for burn treatment in the municipality. This year, the two units performed 192 and 375 treatments, respectively. However, all emergency and urgent care units in the municipal health network offer initial care for burn cases. When necessary, the patient is transferred to referral hospitals. For less severe cases, Primary Care units (municipal health centers and family clinics) are also equipped to provide care.

During this time of year, some important precautions include: always keeping children under supervision; surrounding areas with lit bonfires; avoiding loose clothing or clothing made of flammable fabrics; increasing caution with pots, pans, and containers of hot foods typical of the season, such as canjica (a type of corn pudding), quentão (a hot mulled wine), and broths; keeping hot food and drinks in stable places away from children; and checking the temperature of food before serving. During the World Cup, the recommendation is not to handle or set off fireworks.

Extra caution should be taken with children and the elderly.

Retired 64-year-old Sérgio da Costa Silva suffered burns after a fire in his room, started by a cigarette butt he left burning in the ashtray. In an attempt to extinguish the fire, the retiree suffered burns to his hands and legs. He was taken to the Albert Schweitzer Municipal Hospital in Realengo, where he received initial treatment. Due to the severity of his injuries, Sérgio da Costa was transferred to the Burn Treatment Center at Andaraí Hospital, where he remained hospitalized for 28 days until his discharge on June 12th.

“When I got out of the shower and saw the smoke in the kitchen, I thought I had left a pan on the stove. But when I got to the bedroom, I saw it was on fire and threw water on it to put it out. At the time, I didn't feel the burns, but when the adrenaline wore off, the pain was unbearable. I am very grateful for the care I received at Albert Schweitzer Hospital because it was my first aid, and here at Andaraí Hospital, the care has also been excellent. I am grateful to the entire medical team that took care of me,” said the retiree.

In case of burns, the main recommendations are: immediately cool the burned area with fresh running water for about 20 minutes. Then, cover the affected body part with a clean cloth or gauze and seek medical attention immediately, especially in cases of extensive, deep burns to the face, hands, feet, or genitals, and/or if the victim is a young child. Another recommendation is to remove rings, bracelets, or clothing near the area, if they are not stuck to the skin.

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June 29th, 2026

Appointments: burn accidents Burn Treatment Center Andarai Hospital