Commissioners Recognize National Burn Awareness Week In St. Mary’s County

LEONARDTOWN, Md. — St. Mary’s County commissioners formally recognized National Burn Awareness Week during their Jan. 27 meeting, issuing a proclamation that emphasized burn prevention, public education and the role of emergency responders and medical professionals in protecting the community.

Commissioner Mike Alderson delivered the proclamation, noting the widespread impact of burn injuries and the importance of prevention.

“This year’s National Burn Awareness Week theme, burn prevention, where you live, work, and play, preventing burns in the workplace, emphasizes how small safety steps and education can prevent serious injuries,” Alderson said.

The proclamation also acknowledged the contributions of local emergency services, volunteer fire departments and health care professionals in improving outcomes for burn victims.

Following the proclamation, Jennifer Aubert-Utz, director of the St. Mary’s County Department of Emergency Services, spoke about the week’s focus and its relevance to both county employees and residents.

“We know that 10% of burns actually occur in the workplace, although 90% occur in the homes,” Aubert-Utz said.

She said burn awareness efforts aimed at county employees naturally extend to the broader community.

The commissioners proclaimed Feb. 1 through Feb. 7, 2026, as National Burn Awareness Week in St. Mary’s County and encouraged residents to support fire safety education and burn prevention efforts throughout the county.

National Burn Awareness Week is observed annually to promote education on burn risks and prevention, with a focus on reducing injuries at home, in the workplace and in the community. The week also serves to highlight the importance of fire safety practices, public awareness campaigns and the ongoing work of emergency responders and health care professionals dedicated to preventing burns and improving outcomes for survivors.

The American Burn Association provides a list of fact sheets on its website that include safety facts to prevent burns for workplace, home, and outdoor/recreational settings, and to explore tools that support education, advocacy and research in burn prevention.

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