Pavements can be 68°F hotter than the air and burn people’s skin in summer, scientists warn

Why you shouldn’t walk barefoot in a heatwave: Temperatures over 100°F can cause pavement burns in just TWO seconds, doctors warn

  • GRAPHIC CONTENT WARNING: People burn their skin on hot pavements
  • Scientists warned sidewalks can get hotter than 64°C (147°F) in the summer 
  • Pavements can absorb heat to be ‘significantly’ hotter than the air around them 

Pavements can become hot enough to burn human flesh in just two seconds in the summer, doctors have warned.

Gruesome photographs have revealed horrific burns suffered by people whose bare skin has touched hot sidewalks in the US.

And experts said walkways can be ‘significantly’ hotter than the air temperature in sunny weather and people should avoid touching them.

They even recorded pavement temperatures higher than those used to grill meat on a barbeque.

The warning comes as temperatures in the UK last week hit highs of 38°C (100°F) and Las Vegas, where the study was based, regularly has hotter days.

In the summer pavements can get hot enough to cause second and even third-degree burns, doctors warned (Pictured: A patient in Las Vegas who burned their leg on a hot sidewalk)

Doctors said people who have reduced sensation in their feet because of diabetes, or who are drunk or liable to fall over or collapse, are more at risk of burning themselves on a pavement

Doctors said people who have reduced sensation in their feet because of diabetes, or who are drunk or liable to fall over or collapse, are more at risk of burning themselves on a pavement

Scientists at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas discovered there were 173 pavement-related burn cases at a health centre in the city between 2013 and 2017.

‘The pavement can be significantly hotter than the ambient temperature in direct sunlight and can cause second-degree burns within two seconds,’ wrote the authors, led by Dr Jorge Vega.

‘Pavement burns account for a significant number of burn-related injuries, particularly in the Southwestern United States.’

Of the 173 injuries, 149 were among people who had only suffered from the pavement burns. Other people had more injuries, such as from road accidents.

Patients ended up with potentially agonising second-degree burns after touching the hot stone, and images show their blackened, raw skin afterwards.

The vast majority of the injuries (88 per cent) happened when it was 35°C (95°F) or hotter outside.

The risk of people burning themselves on a sidewalk 'increases exponentially' as the air temperature rises above 100°F (38°C), the doctors said

The risk of people burning themselves on a sidewalk ‘increases exponentially’ as the air temperature rises above 100°F (38°C), the doctors said

WHAT ARE BURNS? 

Burns are damage to the skin caused by dry heat, such as an iron or a fire.

They are different to scalds, which occur due to wet heat like hot water or steam.

Burns can be very painful and may cause:

  • Red or peeling skin
  • Blisters
  • Swelling
  • White or charred skin

But the amount of pain a person feels is not always related to how serious the burn is.

Even a very serious burn can be painless.

To treat a burn:

  • Remove the heat source
  • Cool with cool or lukewarm running water for 20 minutes. Do not use ice
  • Remove any nearby clothing or jewellery unless it is stuck to the skin
  • Keep the person warm with a blanket
  • Cover the burn with clingfilm
  • Use painkillers like paracetamol if necessary
  • If the face or eyes are burnt, keep sitting up to reduce swelling 

Source: NHS Choices  

And the risk of burns ‘increases exponentially’ as temperatures rise higher than that, Dr Vega’s team said.

On 44°C (111°F) days the scientists noticed the pavements could be more than 20 degrees hotter, and they recorded ground heats of more than 64°C (147°F).

They explained that this is because pavements absorb heat energy from direct sunlight, storing it up and becoming hotter over the course of the day. 

For reference, barbeque companies recommend grilling pork ribs to about 63°C (145°F) – and eggs fry at around 70°C (158°F).

‘This information is useful for burn centers in hotter climates, to plan and prepare for the coordination of care and treatment,’ Dr Vega said.

‘It can also be used for burn injury prevention and public health awareness, including increased awareness and additional training to emergency medical service and police personnel when attending to pavement burn victims in the field.’

Second-degree burns, like the ones suffered by people in the study, are ones which affect the upper and deeper layers of skin.

They are called partial thickness burns and damage all the skin they touch. They may cause pain, blisters, swelling and red or peeling skin.

While the researchers said people should avoid hot pavements if they can, they acknowledged some people may not be able to.

Disabled people, those with conditions which could cause them to collapse at random, small children, people drunk or high on drugs, those with poor sensation in their feet because of diabetes, or people in road accidents may be more likely to burn themselves.

The research was published in the journal Burn Care and Research. 

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