[source](https://pixabay.com/en/kerosene-lamp-isolated-light-3246052/)
For careful observers, it is a mystery how Kerosene could easily explode from a lantern as though it's petrol or gas even when there was no flame on the lamp abinitio such that at the instance of lighting the lantern it will explode .
Hardly a week passes without admitting two or more cases of kerosene explosions in hospital facility caused chiefly by adulterated kerosene.
Recent times, we have had issues of kerosene explosion, some of the reasons ranging from wrong usage of the product which is the primary causes and also you don’t rule out willful adulteration.
WHAT THEN IS BURN?
The term **“burn”** means more than the burning sensation associated with this injury. Burns are characterized by severe skin damage that causes the affected skin cells to die and eventually makes the skin to loss it's functions.
Most people can recover from burns without serious health consequences, depending on the cause and degree of injury.
**WHAT THEN ARE THE DEGREE OF BURNS?**
There are three primary types of burns: first degree, second degree and third degree. Each degree is based on the severity of damage to the skin, with first a degree being the most minor and third degree being the most severe.
(a) First degree burn
First degree burns cause minimal skin damage. They are also called **superficial burns** because they affect the outermost layer of skin. Signs of a first degree burn include:
redness
minor inflammation, or swelling
pain
dry, peeling skin occurs as the burn heals
Since this burn affects the top layer of skin, the signs and symptoms disappear once the skin cells shed. First-degree burns usually heal within 7 to 10 days without scarring.
(b) Second degree burn.
Second degree burns are more serious because the damage extends beyond the top layer of skin. This type burn causes the skin to blister and become extremely red and sore.
Some blisters pop open, giving the burn a wet or weeping appearance. Over time, thick, soft, scab-like tissue called fibrinous exudate may develop over the wound.
Some second degree burns take longer than three weeks to heal, but most heal within two to three weeks without scarring, but often with pigment changes to the skin.
The worse the blisters are, the longer the burn will take to heal. In some severe cases, skin grafting is required to fix the damage. Skin grafting takes healthy skin from another area of the body and moves it to the site of the burned skin.
(c). Third degree burns.
third-degree burns are the most severe. They cause the most damage, extending through every layer of skin.
There is a misconception that third-degree burns are the most painful. However, with this type of burn the damage is so extensive that there may not be any pain because of nerve damage.
Depending on the cause, the symptoms third-degree burns can exhibit include:
* waxy and white color
* char
* dark brown color
* raised and leathery texture
* blisters that do not develop
Without surgery, these wounds heal with severe scarring and contracture. There is no set timeline for complete spontaneous healing for third-degree burns.
Never attempt to self-treat a third-degree burn. While you’re waiting for medical treatment, raise the injury above your heart. Don’t get undressed, but make sure no clothing is stuck to the burn.
**PREVENTIVE MEASURES FROM KEROSENE EXPLOSION FROM LANTERN AND STOVES**
Let's try to be extremely careful in our daily live activities so that we don't attribute our mistakes to the devil. Little things/precautions matter a lot.
1- Be careful at where you purchase your kerosene.
2- Refill your lanterns and stoves while they are off.
3- Don't use your mouth to blow off your stove.
4- Make sure it's off completely before taking it inside.
5- Avoid sleeping with your lantern on and inside your bedroom; use rechargeable lamp it's not cost.
6- Avoid black market purchase.
7- Kerosene should be kept out of the reach of our children.
8- Don't send a minor to buy kerosene let alone filling/refilling lantern or stove or to put them on or off.
9- Take your stove outside for cooking.
10- Avoid late night cooking with stove.
11- Govt should please monitor all fuel station where Kerosene are sold and make sure that they don't adulterate kerosene with fuel.
I conclude by borrowing the words of the Chinese philosopher **Kuan Tzu:**
>if you plan for one year, sow rice; if you plan for ten years, plant trees; if you plan for a hundred years, educate people.
Lets stay safe and educated.
hiveblocks