PHOENIX (AP) — Ron Falk suffered severe injuries following a collapse outside a Phoenix convenience store during a heat wave. He lost his right leg, underwent extensive skin grafting on the left one, and is still in recovery a year later. Now wheelchair-bound, the 62-year-old has lost his job and home. He is currently recuperating at a medical respite center for patients with nowhere else to go, receiving physical therapy and treatment for a bacterial infection in his remaining leg.
Falk emphasized the importance of cooling down to avoid the detrimental effects of heat. He experienced heat stroke that caused him to lose consciousness. He emphasized that without proper cooling mechanisms, individuals can suffer severe consequences like he did.
With soaring temperatures in Southwest cities like Phoenix, surface burns are a growing concern. In Phoenix, which recently marked its hottest June on record with an average daytime high of 109.5 degrees Fahrenheit, the risks of burns on sizzling sidewalks and unshaded playgrounds have heightened.
Vulnerable groups such as young children, older adults, and homeless individuals are particularly at risk of contact burns, which can occur within seconds when skin touches surfaces reaching temperatures of 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
Valleywise Health Medical Center in Phoenix, which serves patients from several states, including Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Nevada, has seen a significant increase in burn cases. The center admitted 136 patients for surface burns between June and August last year, up from 85 during the same period in 2020. Fourteen patients died, with one out of five being homeless.
Heat-related burns were a significant contributor to the 645 heat-related deaths in Maricopa County last year. Among the victims was an 82-year-old woman with dementia and heart disease who sustained second-degree burns while lying on scorching pavement on a hot August day.
In response to the rising number of heat-related cases, some hospitals have implemented new protocols. Valleywise hospital has adopted a new protocol for heat-stroke victims, submerging patients in a bag of slushy ice to rapidly reduce body temperature.
Recovery for burn victims often involves multiple skin grafts and surgeries, followed by months of rehabilitation and recovery. With the scorching heat in cities like Phoenix and Las Vegas, many individuals have suffered severe thermal injuries.
Children are particularly at risk, as they may not be fully aware of the dangers posed by hot surfaces. Measures to mitigate these risks include covering playground equipment and providing cooler ground coverings to prevent burns.
Not only humans but also pets are at risk of burn injuries from hot surfaces like concrete and asphalt. Veterinarians recommend protective measures such as booties for dogs during summer walks to reduce the risk of burns.
Despite his challenges, Ron Falk remains hopeful about his recovery and future prospects. He hopes to regain part of his old life and continue working in the entertainment industry.
“I kind of went into a downward spiral,” Falk acknowledged. “I finally woke up and said, ’Hey, wait, I lost a leg.’ But that doesn’t mean you’re useless.”
