Smart Safety - Interview with Burn Survivor Gayle Petrillo

National Burn Awareness Week runs February 1 through 7. Burn survivor and advocate Gayle Petrillo brings both lived experience and frontline leadership to a conversation most families assume will never involve them.

Injured in a childhood burn accident, Gayle has lived with the long term physical and emotional impact of burn trauma. She is a speaker and author of her memoir "Becoming Visible." Gayle also serves as Board Chair of the American Red Cross of Southern Arizona, where she works closely with families affected by fires, burn injuries, and sudden emergencies.

I had a chance to interview Gayle to learn more.

Why do people underestimate the risk of household burn injuries?

Most household burn injuries do not come from reckless behavior. They happen in ordinary moments, during routines we have done a thousand times before. We assume we know how to keep ourselves and our children safe, so our guard drops.

The truth is that accidents happen in seconds, usually when we are distracted or multitasking. Phones buzz, conversations pull our attention, and daily life moves fast. When safety is not something we consciously practice all the time, small lapses add up. A hot mug placed too close to the edge. A pot handle turned the wrong way. A moment of inattention that changes everything.

People underestimate the risk because these dangers feel familiar. They do not look dramatic. But familiarity is exactly what makes household burns so easy to overlook and so devastating when they occur.

What do families often get wrong about burn prevention?
Most families are not careless. They are busy, rushed, and juggling a lot. We move our kids from activity to activity, remembering the big things like soccer gear or homework, while smaller safety details fall through the cracks.

Burn prevention often breaks down in everyday moments. We rush into the house to make dinner and do not realize a small child is right underfoot while pasta water is boiling. We forget to turn pot and pan handles toward the back of the stove or to use the back burners when little ones are nearby. In winter power outages, we light candles without stopping to think about how close they are to curtains or how easily a child can reach them. In warmer months, kids run outside barefoot on hot concrete. In colder weather, frostbite becomes a real risk just as quickly.

Another thing families get wrong is assuming preparation can wait. Many of us do not regularly check smoke detectors, keep fire extinguishers accessible in the kitchen, or practice a home escape plan in case of fire. We also underestimate how fast children move and how little they understand consequences.

Burn prevention is not about fear. It is about awareness and consistency. Small habits, practiced every day, make the biggest difference in keeping children safe.

Why is education and preparedness so important for families?
Because accidents happen quickly and without warning. Education and preparedness give families the ability to respond calmly in moments that matter. We already teach children simple safety habits, like blowing on hot food before taking a bite. Burn safety works the same way. Families need to understand how burns actually occur and how many different forms they can take. Burns are not limited to flames. They can result from hot liquids, steam, electric or gas stoves, candles, chemicals found in household cleaners or batteries, electrical exposure from faulty devices, excessive sun exposure, or friction from rough surfaces like pavement or gym floors. Cold exposure can also cause serious injury through frostbite.

Preparedness helps families reduce risk before an injury happens. That means being mindful about using electrical appliances near water, setting water heaters to a safe temperature, using sunscreen and protective clothing outdoors, and paying attention to how children move through their environment. Small habits add up to meaningful protection.

Education is also critical because not all burns are treated the same. Knowing how to respond in the first moments can limit damage and support healing, while knowing when to seek professional care can prevent long term complications.

As a general rule, initial burn care should focus on cooling and protecting the skin. Burns should be cooled with clean, cool running water for ten to twenty minutes. Ice should never be used, as it can further damage the skin. Greasy substances like butter, creams, or petroleum jelly should be avoided because they trap heat. Burns should be loosely covered with a clean, dry, non adhesive dressing rather than bandages that stick to the skin.

Education and preparedness are not about living in fear. They are about giving families confidence. When parents know what to watch for and how to respond, they are better equipped to protect their children and themselves in everyday life.

What are some of the long term effects of burn injuries, both physical and mental?
Burn injuries do not end when the skin heals. For many survivors, the impact is lifelong, affecting both the body and the sense of self.

Physically, scarring is often the most visible reminder. Scars can change how someone looks and how their body functions, sometimes requiring ongoing medical care or additional procedures. Burns can also lead to contractures, where the skin tightens and limits movement, making physical therapy a long term part of recovery. Chronic pain is another reality for many survivors, even years after the initial injury.

The emotional effects can be just as significant. Many burn survivors experience anxiety, depression, or post traumatic stress related to the injury and recovery process. There is often grief involved, grief for the body they once had, for a sense of safety that was lost, or for an identity that no longer feels the same.

Socially, changes in appearance or mobility can lead to withdrawal. Survivors may pull back from relationships, activities, or public spaces because they feel self conscious or misunderstood. Body image struggles are common, not only because of visible scars, but because of invisible ones. Many survivors quietly wrestle with feelings of unworthiness and fear they will not be loved, accepted, or chosen because of their injuries.

Understanding these long term effects matters. Burn recovery is not just about healing skin. It is about supporting the whole person, physically, emotionally, and socially, long after the initial accident has passed.

About Gayle Petrillo
Gayle Petrillo is the founder of First Impressions Image Consulting, where, as a career coach, she assists clients in strengthening their communication, presence, and professional confidence. She is a speaker, author, and coach who empowers others to reclaim visibility and self-worth by sharing lived experience. A burn survivor whose journey has inspired audiences of all ages, Gayle’s memoir Becoming Visible reflects on resilience, identity, and the quiet courage it takes to be seen. She also serves as Board Chair of the Red Cross of Southern Arizona and is a featured thought leader on KUEL Life, a global platform for women over 50.