Burn injuries often have serious consequences for elderly people. Each year an average of 40 people over 55 die of burn injuries; 150 are admitted to hospitals and 855 are treated in emergency rooms. Prevention therefore merits special attention. The research in this report is meant to support and improve both existing and future interventions. For this reason, the last section of this report offers a broad range of possible preventive measures for burn injuries among elderly.

The problem of burn injuries among the elderly was examined with data taken from the most relevent statistical registries. A questionaire was also given to burn victims over the age of 55 in order to gain insight into circumstances of their accidents. Eighty-four people returned completed questionaires (a reponse rate of 60%). Since questionaires were mainly given to those who suffered more serious accidents, the data is not representative of burn injuries among the elderly in the Netherlands. The results of this study can also be used as a guideline for the prevention of these types of accidents.