ABC presenter suffers severe burns from unfamiliar shower mixer abroad
- Replies 5
Travelling abroad can be an eye-opening experience with new sights, sounds, and customs.
However, it can also come with unexpected hazards, as ABC presenter Charles Brice discovered during a recent European trip.
His painful encounter in a European bathroom reminds all travellers to be aware of the differences in facilities and safety standards abroad.
Brice, who was in Europe to cover the Paris Paralympic Games, decided to take a short holiday in Berlin before his work began.
But what was meant to be a relaxing shower turned into a nightmare when he leaned on what appeared to be an innocuous bar in an accessible shower.
Unbeknownst to him, it was a scalding hot mixer, a device to blend hot and cold water. The result was horrific: severe burns that caused his skin to 'melt off.'
Brice and his friend Shane Hryhorec, a disability advocate known online as Wheel Around the World, shared graphic images that are a chilling warning to travellers.
Hryhorec's reaction to the sight of Brice's injured arm was one of shock and disgust, prompting them to spread awareness about the potential dangers of European bathroom fixtures.
In Australia, mixers are typically built into the wall, shielding users from the heat caused by the hot water running through them.
In contrast, many European and UK bathrooms have externally attached mixers that can become extremely hot to the touch.
For Brice, who is a quadriplegic, the severity of the injury was not immediately apparent due to his condition, which delayed his response to the burn.
Brice's search for medical treatment in Berlin revealed the exorbitant cost of healthcare items for tourists.
Pharmacies quoted him prices ranging from 500 to 3,000 euros for burn-specific dressings, highlighting the importance of comprehensive travel insurance covering medical expenses.
In other news, Melbourne mom Vanessa Pouthier suffered severe burns when her hot water bottle burst on her lap, resulting in multiple surgeries and an ICU stay.
Burns nurse Mel Neely from The Alfred noted that the hospital treats around 50 hot water bottle burn cases each year, which can cause permanent scarring. You can read more about it here.
Have you encountered any surprising hazards while travelling? How do you prepare for safe travels abroad? Feel free to share your experiences in the comments below.
However, it can also come with unexpected hazards, as ABC presenter Charles Brice discovered during a recent European trip.
His painful encounter in a European bathroom reminds all travellers to be aware of the differences in facilities and safety standards abroad.
Brice, who was in Europe to cover the Paris Paralympic Games, decided to take a short holiday in Berlin before his work began.
But what was meant to be a relaxing shower turned into a nightmare when he leaned on what appeared to be an innocuous bar in an accessible shower.
ABC's Charles Brice was injured in a European bathroom accident. Credit: ABC Sport / Facebook
Unbeknownst to him, it was a scalding hot mixer, a device to blend hot and cold water. The result was horrific: severe burns that caused his skin to 'melt off.'
Brice and his friend Shane Hryhorec, a disability advocate known online as Wheel Around the World, shared graphic images that are a chilling warning to travellers.
Hryhorec's reaction to the sight of Brice's injured arm was one of shock and disgust, prompting them to spread awareness about the potential dangers of European bathroom fixtures.
In Australia, mixers are typically built into the wall, shielding users from the heat caused by the hot water running through them.
In contrast, many European and UK bathrooms have externally attached mixers that can become extremely hot to the touch.
For Brice, who is a quadriplegic, the severity of the injury was not immediately apparent due to his condition, which delayed his response to the burn.
Brice's search for medical treatment in Berlin revealed the exorbitant cost of healthcare items for tourists.
Pharmacies quoted him prices ranging from 500 to 3,000 euros for burn-specific dressings, highlighting the importance of comprehensive travel insurance covering medical expenses.
In other news, Melbourne mom Vanessa Pouthier suffered severe burns when her hot water bottle burst on her lap, resulting in multiple surgeries and an ICU stay.
Burns nurse Mel Neely from The Alfred noted that the hospital treats around 50 hot water bottle burn cases each year, which can cause permanent scarring. You can read more about it here.
.png){kind=icon}
