National Burn Awareness Week arrives February 7–13, 2027. Burn centers, firefighters and safety educators team up to cut down on burns at home and on the job.
First Full Week of February
Every year in early February, beginning on the month’s first Sunday. It ran February 2 to 8 in 2025 and February 1 to 7 in 2026.
American Burn Association staff lead it. Its founding year isn’t stated in the group’s materials, and no law sets the dates.
Towns often add a proclamation. In 2026, Audubon Park, Kentucky, called it a coming together of burn, fire and life safety educators.
A Prevention Campaign
Each year brings a new focus. The 2025 theme was “Burn Prevention Starts Where You Live,” centered on the home.
For 2026, ABA widened it to “Burn Prevention Where You Live, Work, and Play.” That year zeroed in on workplaces such as kitchens, labs and construction sites.
Burn survivors take part too. Art from the 2025 Burn Camp poster contest winners was featured during the 2026 week.
Why Burns Get a Week
Dr. Clifford Sheckter, who chairs ABA’s prevention committee, put the case simply: “Burn injuries are often preventable.”
The numbers are large. In 2021, about 398,000 people got medical care for fire or burn injuries, CDC data show.
Another 252,000 were hurt by hot objects or substances that year.
Children face special risk. Almost a third of burn injuries happen to kids under 15.
Young children are the most exposed. Kids under 5 are twice as likely as others to land in an ER for a burn.
Most burns happen close to home. At burn centers, 61% of admissions from 2020 to 2024 came from injuries at a private residence.
Fires remain deadly. NFPA counted 3,800 deaths from fire and smoke in 2021, including 3,010 from structure fires.
Survival has climbed, though. Among people admitted to burn centers from 2020 to 2024, 97.6% survived.
How to Prevent Burns
ABA’s tips start with simple habits. Test your smoke alarms, keep the water heater at a safe setting and store anything flammable securely.
- Keep people at least 3 feet from grills, pizza ovens and other hot outdoor equipment.
- Turn off heating pads and electric blankets before you fall asleep.
- Treat food from the microwave as carefully as food from the oven.
- Unplug irons, hair dryers and curling irons, and keep them out of children’s reach.
- At work, wear protective gear near hot surfaces and check cords for damage.
- Share prevention posts with #NBAW, or send ABA’s template letter to your elected officials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is National Burn Awareness Week an official holiday?
No. It’s a safety campaign run by a medical association, though some towns proclaim it.
How many burn admissions do hospitals see?
About 29,165 in a recent year, by a national hospital data estimate.
Can workplaces get free materials?
Yes. ABA offers fact sheets, graphics and press templates at no cost.