Most of us think we're safe from burn injuries, but with more than 50,000 people being hospitalized every year with burn injuries the truth is, it can happen to anyone at any time. This week is National Burn awareness week.

College student Tiffanie Visconi admits she never thought about getting burned by taking something out of the microwave until one day it happened. "It's a microwave and it can't be as hot as the stove. And I pulled it out, not only did I burn my hands but when I lifted the steam of the casserole dish, I had burns on both of my hands."

Registered nurse Christiane Brissette-Roy explains that when it comes to burn safety, it is just as important for you to know the difference between the degrees of burns as it is to know what to do when you get burned. "If you talk about the 1st degree burn, it is only going to involve the first layer of the skin. The skin will swell, it's going to get red and it's going to be somewhat a little bit painful too."

Christiane says that a second-degree burn involves the top layer of skin as well as part of the layers underneath. "The skin will be red, swollen we will have blisters and the pain really is more intense."

Christiane also says that with both first and second degree burns you must begin to minimize the damage quickly. "If the skin is not broken, you run cool water over the burn or you can soak the burn in a cool water bath at least for 5 minutes or until the pain subsides."

A third degree burn involves all the layers of the skin. For both third and fourth degree burns call for emergency medical assistance or go directly to the emergency room.

Butter, oil, lotions, or creams should not be applied to burns, as they may lead to additional complications. Also never use ice on a burn either, that too can cause more damage to your injury.