A South Australian man has issued a warning after a wedding proposal gone wrong left him in hospital for weeks and with injuries for life.
Adam Boots had planned to propose to his partner in front of a bonfire but when he used fuel to start the fire quickly, he caused an accident that changed his life.
The 28-year-old suffered burns to his face, arms and legs after using petrol to light the fire.
“I’ve just lent down and leaned in and it’s exploded into my face,” Boots said.
“The pain was quite excruciating, especially on the face.”
The father-of-two is still feeling the impacts of his burns more than six months on.
Kidsafe SA is raising awareness about the dangers of fire pits this winter.
“They are drawn to the open flames of the firepit and their small size means they are often close to the open flames,” Holly Fitzgerald from the organisation said.
Last year the Women’s and Children’s Hospital treated more than 500 kids who had suffered burns.
Doctors have warned it’s not only open flames that pose a risk but scalding from hot water bottle use from old or leaking bottles.
“It’s important to check these before using them,” plastic surgeon Dr Nick Solanki said.