Advice for the public - COVID-19

BAPRAS members ask for the public’s help to free up resource for Covid-19 patients

As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, plastic surgeons are gradually being called upon to maximise their support in treating those with severe illnesses outside their normal specialty. To help ensure that plastic surgeons can focus on the patients most in need, BAPRAS is calling on the public to take extra precautions to avoid unnecessary injury in the coming months.

Based on some of the most frequent causes of household traumatic injury seen by plastic surgeons, BAPRAS members are asking everyone to consider the following:

• Refrain from any unnecessary DIY and gardening, particularly involving saws or other power tools

• To minimise injury risk to your hands when chopping food, slice away from your hand and keep your fingers clear of the blade. Do not ever use the palm of your hand as a chopping board (particularly with avocados) and curl your fingers under in a claw shape when chopping to avoid slicing your fingertips

• Check your smoke alarms so that in the event of a fire you can quickly evacuate to safety and minimise the risk of potential burns injuries

• Hot drinks are the leading cause of children's burns injuries so it is vital to keep them out of reach and to be extra cautious when operating kettles and hot taps. For further information on how to stay safe please see the #SafeTea campaign

• Be extra vigilant if using a vapour bath to treat any URTI (Upper Respiratory Tract Infection) symptoms which COVID-19 may present. #BeBurnsAware

Take a look at this infographic on staying safe at home


 Please take care of yourself and your family members during this difficult period to help reduce the risk of injury at a time when emergency trauma care may be stretched.