Health

Woman suffers severe burns when her skin went up in flames after hand sanitiser caught light


A WOMAN suffered severe burns after claiming the hand sanitiser on her skin caught alight.

Kate Wise said she had just put her kids to bed and was lighting a candle when the flames ripped up her arm.

⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

Kate Wise suffered severe burns after she claims she used hand sanitiser then lit a candle

6

Kate Wise suffered severe burns after she claims she used hand sanitiser then lit a candleCredit: FoxNews/David Gonzalez

In her panic the mum, from Texas, US, jumped back and knocked over a bottle of alcohol causing a “bomb-like” explosion.

She desperately managed to remove her burning clothes and get her disabled daughter and their pets out their home.

Meanwhile, one of her daughter’s rushed to a neighbours’ to call the emergency services.

Kate was rushed to intensive care at the weekend, where she continues to receive treatment for second and third degree burns covering her entire body.

Kate was rushed to intensive care where she is still being treated for second and third degree burns

6

Kate was rushed to intensive care where she is still being treated for second and third degree burnsCredit: FoxNews/David Gonzalez
The single mum, from Texas, was burned 'from head to toe'

6

The single mum, from Texas, was burned ‘from head to toe’Credit: FoxNews/David Gonzalez

She claims the fire was sparked after she used hand sanitiser, which she had bought to protect herself and her daughters from coronavirus.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Kate is now warning others against the dangers of using hand gels, which contain alcohol, so close to a naked flame.

The single mum told local TV network KHOU-TV: “It can be something as small as lighting a candle.

“Because of the hand sanitiser, it just lit my whole … everywhere I had hand sanitiser on my hand, it just lit my hand with fire.

Kate, pictured before the fire, had been lighting a candle when the blaze began

6

Kate, pictured before the fire, had been lighting a candle when the blaze began
She has suffered extensive burns to her entire body and medical bills are starting to mount

6

She has suffered extensive burns to her entire body and medical bills are starting to mount

“And it obviously went all over my face. And, in like a matter of five seconds, my whole body was just consumed in flames.”

She added: “It’s something that you never want your kids to see.

“Like, you just being up in flames so I think that part kind of killed me just because it’s something I never wanted them to have to go through.”

As well as the physical injuries, her daughters have been left without a home and her medical bills are mounting.

Her friend Kathryn Bonesteel has set up a GoFundMe page to help raise funds for the family.

Experts have warned that hand sanitisers – many of which contain alcohol – can be flammable and bottles usually have a warning that says to keep the product away from flames or fire.

This awful picture shows the extent of the burns Kate suffered in the blaze

6

This awful picture shows the extent of the burns Kate suffered in the blaze

Jennifer L. Rose, consultation director of the Virginia Occupational Safety and Health Programme, told Safety and Health magazine are advised to “let the sanitiser fully absorb into the skin or evaporate” before any close contact with flames.

“Isopropyl alcohol is highly flammable and can easily ignite,” she said.

“Vapours may form explosive mixtures with air, travelling to a source of ignition and flashback. It is not really the liquid burning – it is the vapours that catch fire.”

Brit couple who set up hugely successful hand sanitising company discuss their ‘ethically-priced’ product





READ SOURCE

Leave a Reply

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.