Cooking during the holidays is a special time of year for many families. This is why it is best to take precautions while cooking. According to US Fire Administration http://www.usfa.fema.gov/), the kitchen can be one of the most hazardous rooms in the house if you don’t practice safe cooking behavior. Cooking equipment, most often a range or stovetop is the leading cause of reported home fires and home fire injuries in the United States. Cooking equipment is also the leading cause of unreported fires and associated injuries. Here are some safety cooking tips AARBF recommends:

WATCH WHAT YOU HEAT

• The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking.
• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking.
• Stay alert! To prevent cooking fires, you have to be alert. You won’t be if you are sleepy, have been drinking alcohol, or have taken medicine that makes you drowsy.

KEEP FLAMMABLE ITEMS AND HEAT SOURCES APART

• Keep anything that can catch fire – potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, towels, or curtains – away from your stovetop.
• Keep the stovetop, burners, and oven clean.
• Keep pets off cooking surfaces and nearby countertops to prevent them from knocking things onto the burner.
• Wear short, close-fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can dangle onto stove burners and catch fire if it comes into contact with a gas flame or electric burner.

For more cooking safety information, go to: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev/cooking.shtm

AARBF wishes you and your family a fun, festive and safe holiday season!

• The Getaway 2010 
  A weekend camp outing by Alisa Ann Ruch Burn. This was the first time I took off my compression garments in front of a group of strangers. The seminars were extremely informative and play time was the most fun I’d had since my burn in 2009. It was the first time that I zip-lined—I discovered that I could transfer the courage to try a new personal best to my new life with scars.
• AARBF monthly group support meetings
  The local representative visited me as I was being discharged from the burn unit. At that time, I wasn’t open to the possibilities that AARBF could have possibly offered me—I just wanted OUT of the unit and to move on with my life. However, without this resource, I’d not known about World Burn Congress (WBC).
• Phoenix Society’s WBC 2010
  The Phoenix Society (see www.phoenix-society.org) provides a number of resources. When I was at the World Burn Congress, I attended the BEST seminar—it was the key for me to become comfortable in my new skin. I even swam in the heated outdoor pool without a neck-to-ankle exposure suit for the first time! Evidently I asked some great questions because I was later interviewed by National Public Radio (NPR). I was also asked to speak at breakout session of about 40 audience members—that was the first time I told the truth of “what happened?” to a group of strangers. That was most cathartic. I also met a sweetheart, who moved from New York to California where I live. We celebrated one year of knowing each other on 10/22/11.
• Another tip I garnered from the BEST seminar helps others see me as a human being…just kindly smile. When I notice the few people throughout my day furtively glancing at my scars, I kindly ask, “They’re burn scars. Would you like to know what happened?” You can see how relieved people are. I also learned that people take cues from me. If I feel and act like I’m more than my burn scars, then others do, too.
• Phoenix Society’s Online Chat
  The caring moderators and burn survivors provide their experiences with any stage in recovery.
• Friends
  Associate with people who understand burn issues. You can learn details from other burn survivors’ doctors and individual daily experience nuances. You can help each other such as by giving daily massages. I’m delighted to be able to share with others that “I remember feeling that way when I was only a year post-burn, too.”
• Family
  My Dad and his wife spearheaded prayer circles for my recovery when I was in the hospital. With all my Mom has done for me, it is almost as if she gave me life for the second time. I definitely would not have survived the hospital or 10 month recovery ordeal without them.
• Telling the truth about what happened
  When I was asked, “What happened to you?” I would ask, “Do you want the truth or a cheeky answer?” All but one person has ever said, “The truth.” It braces them for the severity of my situation and they see me as a human being.  Moreover, I discovered it is cathartic to tell the truth. I have found people to be understanding and compassionate.
• Finding your own path                                                                                                                                                                                                   Although I’m a fashonista, I still daily feel anxious about what to wear—especially with a new group of strangers who might see my scars. I ponder whether to wear something to cover them or just leave my arms of scars exposed? One person even thought I had textured henna—I was thrilled! I even created outfits around my compression garments, which were bold black instead of attempting to match my skin tone color.

These suggestions have helped me so far to evolve with my burn recovery.  I hope you find them helpful. I’d love to hear of other things you’ve done. And I am so grateful for everyone’s gracious assistance during my recovery!

About the Author

Author & Burn Survivor Wendy Albrecht

Keep your eye on the AARBF blog for more information about the 2012 World Burn Congress in Milwaukee, Wisconsin!

The Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation wants you to spread the word…It’s Fire Prevention Week 2011!: Protect Your Family

In honor of Fire Prevention Week, the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation would like to offer a few prevention reminders:

• Make sure your furnace or chimney is checked every year.
• Make sure all electrical cords are in good condition.
• Place portable space heaters a minimum of 3 feet away from anything that can catch fire.
• Hold a family meeting to come up with a fire escape plan and hold family fire drills at least twice a year.
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and remember to test them monthly to ensure that they are in working condition.
• Never leave food cooking on the stove unattended, especially if you have children.
• Know how to put out a small pan fire by sliding a lid over the flames.
• Learn how and when to use a fire extinguisher.
• Teach every family member to “Stop, Drop & Roll” (the technique of stopping, dropping to the floor and rolling back and forth to smother flames if clothes catch on fire) and “Cool-a-Burn” (burns should be cooled with water, not ice, butter or by other means).

For more information on Fire Prevention Week please visit the National Fire Protection Association.

We also invite you out to join us for the Central Coast Burn Relay on October 13^th, 2011.  The Burn Relay coincides with national Fire
Prevention Week and is a parade of fire equipment and firefighters providing prevention education to 16 schools in San Luis Obispo County while collecting donations to support the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation. For more information, please call 1-888-492-BURN and we hope to see you there!

Making a difference at the Central Coast Burn Relay 2010!

Hello, my name is Peter Reynaga and I am a burn survivor of five years.  Last year, was my first time at the AARBF Getaway.  I took my sister so I could show her what a great time it is at The Getaway.  There were a lot of activities which we participated in like arts and crafts, archery, support group, and field games with other families.   These activities were very helpful; they helped us to better understand how people feel about being a burn survivor.

My sister and I had lots of fun interacting with the other families and spending time together.  It felt good to meet new people and make lots
of friends.  This event was great just like any other event with AARBF.  It was also a great event to spend with my family.  All the activities and staff members were awesome and willing to help us.  The Getaway was great and I can’t wait to take my family again so we can get a chance to interact with more burn survivor families.

All aboard for the Annual Peninsula Firefighter Relay!

The Annual Peninsula Firefighter Burn Relay was a huge success this year, bringing in donations of $30,695, with presentations from Mt. View and Menlo Park’s pancake breakfasts and the Daly City poker tournament, raising the total to $64,829!  More than 20 emergency vehicles started at the NASA Ames Fire Department at Moffitt Field and drove up the peninsula to the Division of Training in San Francisco.  Despite facing budget cuts, the local fire departments have raised funds by hosting pancake breakfasts, hockey games, chili cook-offs, spaghetti feeds and fill-the-boot drives up and down the peninsula in support of AARBF.  Event coordinators, Jim Demattei and Steve Besozzi, put together another 16-stop successful event to raise support and awareness for AARBF burn survivor services and burn prevention education programs.  

We were even lucky enough to have a few of our Champ Campers and their families there to join in the festivities! One of those survivors, 8 year old Chloe, was able to see firsthand the work done by third parties to ensure children can attend Champ Camp at no cost. “Because of everything that the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation has done for me, I am asking for donations to the Foundation instead of birthday presents this year,” said Chloe. 

Chloe gets a firsthand peek at the donation check presented to AARBF!

AARBF extends a special thanks to:

• Steve Besozzi and Jim Demattei for organizing another successful relay.
• CHP and local police departments that kept the relay moving and safe, and to Brandon Vaccarro of the Peninsula Fire Buffs for arranging the coverage.
• NASA Ames Fire Department at Moffett Field for breakfast and hosting the morning kickoff.
• Foster City Fire Department and Fire Chief Tom Reaves for lunch.
• Colma Fire Department & Colma Firemen’s Social Club, Fire Chief Geoff Balton and Mark Goodman for their ice cream social at the fire house.
• San Francisco Black Firefighters Association, led by Kevin Smith, for dinner at the Division of Training.
• San Francisco Fire Department Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White and the SFFD for hosting the finale at the Division of Training.
• San Francisco Fire Credit Union, Glenn Gortney for their support of AARBF’s annual relays and events
• Burn survivors for taking time out of school and work to be on the relay: Chloe, Timothy, and their parents.
• Sarah “Gypsy” Burton for riding in the advance car and keeping things running smoothly and on schedule.
• All the stations and participants who participated in the event. Thank you!

Alyssa is ready and excited for school!

Burn injuries are some of the most painful injuries that a person can experience, and may take years of surgeries and treatment to fully heal.  However, for many burn survivors, the emotional difficulties of readjusting to the world after their injuries can be almost as hard, if not harder, than their physical recovery.  Due to the fact that burns can so dramatically change a survivor’s appearance, they can be bullied, stared at, or treated inferior to others, causing new activities, like going back to school, to be a scary prospect.

To help support school-aged burn survivors, AARBF provides Back-to-School presentations at the survivors’ school to ensure an environment of acceptance by talking about the physical and emotional ramifications of a burn injury, give peers the opportunity to ask questions about burns and burn injuries, and to teach essential burn prevention and fire safety messages.

In April 2011, Margarita Rodriguez, AARBF Survivor Services/Prevention Coordinator, and Stacey “Snoopy” Shames went to Powell Elementary School in Glendora, CA, to provide a Back-to-School presentation to several grades for Alyssa, a young burn survivor who was being bullied by older children because of her scars.  Since that presentation, Alyssa’s mother reports that she is doing better in school and looking forward to Champ Camp this summer. 

Fermina, Alyssa’s mother writes, “We really want to thank the Foundation for helping us with the back to school presentation and for allowing Alyssa to participate in Champ Camp.  We don’t know what we would do without AARBF. We really hope that those reading this can help the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation spread the word about their services to burn survivors.”

If you or someone you know is in need of a Back-to-School presentation, please, contact your local AARBF office (www.AARBF.org) for more information.

Wonder Women of Camp - Punky and FoxX (on right) on Comic Book Day

Champ Camp is an incredibly special event and each year we have new counselors that take on the challenge of dedicating a week out of their very busy lives in the hopes of making a life-long impact on the lives our young burn survivors.  AARBF is greatful for their dedication, and knows that they are essential to the success of Champ Camp year after year.  This year, we had 9 new counselors at camp, and this is the experience of one of our rookie counselors, FoxX, from Champ Camp 2011: EPIC! 

Here is what FoxX (AKA Angela Graham) had to say…

 ”This was my first year at Champ Camp. I was a little nervous but twice as excited. It turned out to be so much more than I had anticipated! I thought that we would be ‘counselors’ meaning: supervising and coaching.  However, I found myself feeling more like a camper than an authoritative figure.  Some of these kids have such a positive outlook on life regardless of their situation; it was truly grounding and inspiring.  Saying goodbye at the end of camp was both a tearful and uplifting experience.  Being asked by campers if I would be here next year, as we e-hugged our way to the buses, made it hard to say no.  

I have found new friends and family here at Champ Camp. The friendships (and nicknames) will continue beyond the borders of the ranch.  I am so glad to be a part of something so special!”

FoxX we are so glad that you are on board and we look forward to seeing you at next year’s Champ Camp!

Summertime is for fun and making happy memories. Unfortunately, it’s also a time of increased fire danger. In Marin County California, a June 22^nd camping trip turned in to terrible 2-acre brush fire when a lit cigarette lit was discarded into marsh bushes. One adult was severely injured and 7 others lost all of their possessions before the fire was contained by Corte Madera, Larkspur, San Rafael and Kentfield firefighters.  Knowing a few fire safety tips and following instructions will help avoid such disasters and help everyone have a safe summer.

Barbecue Safety

• Before using a grill, check the connection between the propane tank and the fuel line. Make sure the venturi tubes – where the air and gas mix – are not blocked.
• Do not overfill the propane tank.
• Do not wear loose clothing while cooking at a barbecue.
• Be careful when using lighter fluid. Do not add fluid to an already lit fire because the flame can flashback up into the container and explode.
• Keep all matches and lighters away from children. Teach your children to report any loose matches or lighters to an adult immediately. Supervise children around outdoor grills.
• Dispose of hot coals properly – douse them with plenty of water, and stir them to ensure that the fire is out. Never place them in plastic, paper or wooden containers.
• Make sure everyone knows to Stop, Drop and Roll in case a piece of clothing does catch fire. Call 911 or your local emergency number if a burn warrants serious medical attention.

Campfire Safety

• Build campfires where they will not spread, away from dry grass and leaves.
• Keep campfires small, and don’t let them get out of hand.
• Keep plenty of water and a shovel around to douse the fire when you’re done. Stir it and douse it again with water.
• Never leave campfires unattended.

The 2011 Firefighter Bachelors! Clockwise from left: Jeff, Chad, David, Jason, Evan, Anton, Tyler, Adam, Mariano, Tyrone and Nick

The single ladies rocked the house on Saturday, April 9 at the 9th Annual Firefighter Bachelor Auction! Eleven eligible, well-dressed firefighter bachelors greeted the ladies as they arrived at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel of San Francisco. The crowd of over 130 raised more than $17,000 for AARBF burn survivor services and burn prevention education! VIP ladies took home PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur goodies, Illy Issimo coffee, and gift certificates to Susie Cakes and The Guardsmen’s upcoming event in June. Guests won cooking lessons from Richmond Chevron Fire Department, firehouse dinners with Chevron and Oakland fire departments, a stay at the Napa Meritage Resort and Spa, and a ladies-only private party from Divalicious Productions! Two lucky ladies won a double date to Clock Bar and Scala Bistro with AARBF’s very own Champ Camp counselor, Tyler “Leo” James, and San Francisco firefighter Mariano Elias!

On Sunday, April 17, winning bidders got to know each other and relaxed in an exclusive, private spa suite Nob Hill Spa. They enjoyed the Jacuzzis, saunas and steam rooms of the spa and sipped on mimosas from Barefoot Wine & Bubbly. On May 1, the bachelors and bachelorettes will meet up for their group date: a ride in a Runways Limousine party bus up to the Napa Valley Wine Train. Lunch and hosted wine will be served on the train ride before a tour of the Grgich Estates vineyard.  The group will enjoy dessert on the train ride back to the Bay Area.

Thank you to all – those who participated as bachelors and donors and those who purchased tickets and bid on firefighters! Everyone in the room gets incredible karma points! Hope to see everyone at the 2012 Bachelor Auction!

Check out pictures of the event here!

AARBF thanks:

Bachelors: Anton Chism, David Dolson, Mariano Elias, Nicholas Helmer, Tyler “Leo” James, Evan Lane, Tyrone Mancuso, Adam Raabe, Chad Ramnarine, Jeff Tandaguen, and Jason Fuller!

The incomparable Mistress of Ceremonies: Diane Nathaniel

Event volunteers: Kseniya Ishina, Angelica “Beetle” Ibarra, Christy “Nagano” DeMaria, Elizabeth “Tum Tum” Harkins, Rita Mughannam, Jennifer Clamon, Evelyn Alarcon, DeWayne “Dash” Eckerdt, John “Sweet Tooth” Manning, Rob Marty, Kojo Williams, Luke Michaelis

AARBF Staff: Chanda “Jelly” Guerin, Carolyn “Ladybug” Falkenberg, Sarah “Gypsy” Burton, and Janesta Edmonds 

Cheers to AARBF’s Sponsors: Tracy Moore & PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur and Heaven Hill Distilleries, Jessica Ridge and Barefoot Wine & Bubbly; Allison Sigmond and the Sir Francis Drake Hotel and Scala Bistro; David Root and Swank Audio Visuals; Trevor Newkirk Photography; Robert Deans and  In The Mix Bay Area; Jennifer Jaciw and Divalicious Productions; Kate Donoff and Nob Hill Spa; Carolynn Rosemeyer and the Napa Valley Wine Train; Jeff Tandaguen and Richmond Chevron Fire Department; Tyrone Mancuso the Oakland Fire Department; Phillip Barcio and the Clock Room;  Dan D’Angelo and Vino D’Angelo Wine; Jessica Rae and RAE Model & Talent Agency; Sean Dublin andThe Guardsmen; Meghan Allen and Illy Issimo; Yazid Aksas and Aksel Paris Clothing; Susie Cakes; Shibui Spa; The Body Shop; Mission Minis; Red Hots Burlesque; Hair Candy; and Yoga Kula