Std VII student becomes the latest victim as gas geyser burst leaves her with 80 per cent burns; National Burns Centre says 20 such cases are the norm during winter
The National Burns Centre in Airoli. File pic
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Anita Agarwal (name changed) suffered 80% burns last week. Not because of a freak brush with firecrackers that dot the festive season, but because of one with the geyser in her bathroom. The Std 7 student was bathing on October 19, when the heating appliance suddenly burst in her Thane home.
Speaking to Midday, her father said, “She has been kept under observation in a private hospital.” But this is not the first incident this year where a person has fallen prey to a gas geyser. The National Burns Centre in Airoli receives at least 20 patients every year, who have been afflicted with severe burns due to their gas geyser bursting in the bathroom. The highest number of cases is recorded in the winter when the usage of the geyser increases.
In 2013, 26 such cases were recorded while 2014 saw 21 cases and last year, 27 have been registered. “In most of the cases, we have seen that the geysers bought at cheaper rates from local markets are most risky. As the geysers are used in bathroom with doors and windows closed, they cause greater harm,” said Dr Sunil Keswani, director, NBC.
Melwyn Fernandes whose daughter studies in the same school of Anita said that there is lack of awareness among people regarding the gas geysers they install in their bathrooms. “These kinds of accidents can happen with anyone. Also, these geysers need to be maintained properly and regularly checked. But we never check the quality of the geyser we use in our homes,” he added.
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