Torchbearer for safety

Burn prevention coordinator warns many kids get injured trying stunts seen on Internet

craig l. moran/viewMary Martinat, shown working in the UMC Burn Care Center, says children 7 and older are often brought in for treatment of burns suffered playing with fireworks or lighters. craig l. moran/viewMary Martinat, a North Las Vegas resident, says educating parents and children about the dangers of kids playing with fire will be her top priority as outreach and prevention coordinator for the UMC Burn Care Center. Advertisement

North Las Vegas resident Mary Martinat worked as a trauma unit nurse for more than 20 years, but it was when she took a position as the outreach and prevention coordinator for the Burn Care Center at University Medical Center that she found her true calling.

Martinat, who graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno in 1982, was offered the position in 2004 and saw an opportunity to educate the public and work with patients.

"Fire injuries are preventable in most cases," she said. "We see a lot of children with fire injuries because they play with it or are playing with fireworks. Those are much more common than people might think. And it seems to be worse in the summer months."

Martinat said she works with children who have a history of using fire as a toy and teaches them about the dangers of the behavior.

"We want to be a catalyst for change," she said.

Martinat, who was honored by the hospital on National Nurses Day this month for promoting fire safety, said she also works with local fire departments and paramedics on how to treat burn injuries.

Martinat said her No. 1 priority is saving kids from themselves.

"The only way to do that is through education," she said.

Anthony "Nino" Galloway, president of the Firefighters of Southern Nevada Burn Foundation, said he has worked with Martinat for several years and has been impressed by her ability to keep things on an even keel.

"She doesn't get ruffled by much," Galloway said. "And she has such a way of working with people. It's inspiring."

Martinat said the best part of her job is seeing people keep a positive attitude and put themselves on track toward having a bright and productive future even after suffering severe burns -- in some cases so bad that they required amputation of body parts.

"It's watching people recover that is the greatest," she said. "I don't get to work with patients as much as I used to, but when I do, it is those kinds of inspiring stories that keep me going."

Martinat said most of the burn injuries she sees affect kids over age 7 who may have been playing with fireworks or lighters.

"They see stuff on these social media sites and try to emulate the foolish stunts," she said. "It's extremely frustrating to see kids in pain and dealing with something as terrible as a burn because they were horseplaying with something deadly."

According to Martinat, children under age 6 who suffer burns usually are injured by touching hot items, such as a pan or fireplace.

Martinat said she is often asked if she believes nurses should receive more recognition for their work. Doing the job, she tells people, is its own reward.

"I don't think nurses are asking for a big reward," she said. "We choose to work in this profession because we love it. I really love what I do. That's my reward."

Contact North Las Vegas and Downtown View reporter Amanda Llewellyn at allewellyn@viewnews.com or 380-4535.