Burns: epidemiology and the effect of a prevention programme.

Epidemiological data concerning 1391 patients hospitalized at the Burns Unit, Odense University Hospital during a 17-year period are presented. The annual incidence showed a steady downward trend of 3 per cent per year. Scald and fire were the most important causes of burn injuries. Among children a significant reduction in burns due to scalds and electrical or corrosive injuries was noted. The rate of injury among adults and the elderly was constant. These results might reflect an intensive information campaign in the media, revisions of laws and regulations and improvements in the safety of household products, especially directed towards thermal injuries among smaller children.