This National Burns Awareness Month, an initiative of Kidsafe Australia, a campaign is being run to raise awareness of the prevention of and correct first aid treatment for burns and scalds across all age groups.

Data from the Burns Registry of Australia and New Zealand (BRANZ) reveals that in 2018-19, 3281 people were admitted to burns units across Australia and New Zealand. This includes 906 children younger than 15.

That is approximately 17 children each week.

The most common place for a person or child to sustain a burn is in the kitchen, with more than a third occurring when a child was near somebody who was cooking.

The most common causes for injuries across all age groups in winter were scalds from hot water bottles, contact with heaters and flame burns.

Further, according to the data, more than 29 per cent of children, almost 40 per cent of adults aged between 16 and 64 and 50 per cent of adults older than 65 did not receive the recommended initial first aid treatment for a burn.

This includes removing clothing from the burn, holding the affected area under cool running water for 20 minutes before covering it with a clean dressing. If the burn is blistering or bigger than a 20 cent piece, medical attention should be sought.

Kidsafe Australia spokesperson Holly Fitzgerald urged people to be mindful of burns prevention, especially in winter when there is an increased risk of burns and scalds.

"It's important as parents and carers that we remain vigilant and take action to help reduce the risk of burns to children," she said.

"Along with active adult supervision, important prevention steps include keeping children out of the kitchen when meals are being prepared, placing hot food and drinks out of reach and restricting children's access to potential burn hazards including heaters, treadmills and household appliances."

Meanwhile, each year, firefighters respond to thousands of house fires across Victoria and many of them are preventable.

There have been numerous house fires across the region already this year. Throughout May alone, firefighters responded to four house fires (not including sheds or other outbuildings) in the CFA District 15 region.

One of these fires, one is believed to have started in the kitchen while two were chimney fires. one of these fires damaged only the contents of the home, while another damaged the structure of the house.

West Region Country Fire Authority commander, Lindsay Barry, said each house fire was one too many but the risk of a house fire could be reduced with preventative measures.

Fire safety within the home means taking precautions as well as having a fire plan in place.

One of the most common places house fires start is in the kitchen - either by cooking being left unattended, by electrical faults or flammable items such as paper towels or curtains left too close to heat sources such as a stove or toaster.

Fire blankets and fire extinguishers should always be accessible, while one easy way to protect children in the kitchen is to ensure pot and pan handles are turned inwards.

It is also imperative to have a working smoke detector correctly installed in the home - especially as many fatal house fires start in the lounge or bedroom areas of the house, when people are asleep and their sense of smell is inhibited.

"Practical measures should be put in place to make sure that you're keeping not only children safe but yourself and anyone else living in the home safe," Commander Barry said.

"It's about preparedness. So, just like we prepare for the bushfire season, the onus and responsibility is on all homeowners to ensure that they prepare for the cooler months too."

This includes cleaning out fireplaces, making sure that gas heating systems are serviced by a licensed and knowledgeable professional and that electric heaters are serviced and used according to the instructions.

Electronic devices - such as blankets - should not be used with frayed or damaged cords and power boards and sockets should not be overloaded with appliances.

Ensuring all of these measures are taken creates a safer home.

Commander Barry, like many firefighters, has been exposed to traumatic events, and said those involving children were not only devastating to family and friends, but also to the wider community and the emergency service personnel who attend the incident.

"So as minor as some preventative measures may seem, the impact down the line can be significant to prevent these major traumatic events from occurring," he said.

In addition to an early warning device, it is also important to have a fire evacuation plan for the home which includes a meeting point put in place if a fire was to occur.

Once developed, a fire drill should be regularly practised with children.

For more information, visit kidsafe.com.au or CFA.vic.gov.au