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Trinity pushes fire safety awareness

2 min read
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Students in Trinity High School’s science, health and gym classes recently were able to attend a fire safety presentation by UPMC Mercy Hospital nurses.

The presentation, given by Noel Faust and Anna Lindsey, was courtesy of UPMC Mercy Hospital’s burn unit.

Even though Faust has been at Mercy Hospital for 25 years, she is still fascinated by burns and enjoys caring for victims. After speaking with Faust about her job in the burn unit, Lindsey left her position in the trauma center to work alongside Faust.

Both nurses agree that the recovery process is excruciatingly difficult, and makes the nurses appreciate life and remain humble.

Faust and Lindsey informed students about the different ways they can be burned, the six types of burns, the four layers of the skin and the three zones of injury that are possible.

English teacher Rebecca Booher’s granddaughter was badly burned, so Booher helped organize the lecture to prevent other children from being burned.

“People don’t realize the possible everyday items that can be dangerous. There are curling irons, boiling water, overloaded circuits and many more,” says Booher.

“Burn shirts” are garments that are used to keep skin scarring at a minimum while also allowing joint movement to the burned area. These garments are not often covered by insurance and can cost $500 or more. Numerous dressings also are needed during the recovery process, causing medical costs to increase more.

“Not everyone can afford $500 every three months to help their children or adult loved ones have a ‘normal’ life,” Booher said.

To raise money to purchase burn shirts, Booher also helped design Dalmatian puppy cutouts that were sold by Trinity’s special needs class and Future Teachers of America. The cutouts were $1 and were sold at the elementary, middle and high school levels. A T-shirt sale also was held, and sold for $10 and $15.

Proceeds from the two fundraisers raised $1,000, which was donated to UPMC Mercy’s burn unit for burn shirts.

Megan Kendra is co-editor-in-chief/sports editor of the high school’s newspaper.

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