Paramedics are urging caution with open fires and hot drinks ahead of cooler weather, after six people were injured in weekend mishaps.
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In the most serious incident, a man was critically injured in an accident in Gippsland.
Ambulance Victoria acting group manager Michelle Murphy said the man aged in his 60s apparently threw petrol onto a fire.
“The man made his own way to Warragul Hospital. His condition deteriorated and he was transferred by air ambulance helicopter to The Alfred hospital in a critical condition,” she said.
A teenager and a man were injured in separate accidents when they fell into fires on the weekend.
“As colder weather hits more people will be using open fires and outdoor fires to keep warm. We urge people to take care around fires. Burns can have lifelong impact with ongoing, painful treatment needed in severe burns cases,” Ms Murphy said.
Paramedics also treated three children, including two who pulled hot tea onto themselves.
“In those cases the parents have done a great job in providing first aid by cooling the burns with running water prior to an ambulance arrive,” Ms Murphy said.
“People are more likely to drink hot drinks over winter. Children can move quickly and it only takes a split second for a child to grab at cup of hot tea or coffee.”
Other cases paramedics were called to over the weekend included:
- Wodonga - A teenaged boy tripped and landed hands-first in a camp fire. He was taken to Wodonga Hospital in a stable condition
- Cobram - A toddler burnt his arm and face when he pulled a cup of hot tea onto himself from a bench. His parents cooled the burns and called Triple Zero. The toddler was taken to Goulburn Valley Base Hospital in a stable condition.
- Frankston North - A man aged in his 20s burnt his hands after falling into a fire. He was taken to Frankston Hospital in a stable condition.
- Humevale - A toddler burnt her hand on a hot screen around a fire. She was taken to The Northern Hospital in a stable condition.
- Kingsville - A toddler pulled a cup of tea from a bench, spilling it on her abdomen. Her parents cooled the burns with water and called triple zero. The girl was taken to Royal Children's Hospital in a stable condition.
- Warragul - A man in his 60s threw petrol on a fire, causing it to flash back and burn his face. He made his own way to Warragul Hospital. The man was then flown by air ambulance helicopter to The Alfred hospital in a critical condition.
