Burn Prevention

Learn About Burns

Did you know that things you use in your home every day, if used in the wrong way, can harm your child? Curling irons, grills, hot coffee, pots and pans, candles, even electric outlets can lead to serious burn injuries if they touch your child’s skin. That’s because a child’s skin is more sensitive to hot temperatures than an adult’s skin and burns easier.

According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, burns are the third leading cause of death from unintentional injury in children ages 1 to 9. The following tips will explain how you can help your child avoid burns around the house and outdoors.

Burns from scalds, flames, the sun or chemicals

Scalds are burns caused by touching hot items and liquids. These can include water, stoves, items heated in the microwave, curling irons, and electrical outlets.

Flame burns are caused by open flames and explosives. These can include candles, matches, fireworks, grills and camp fires.

Sunburns are caused by extended periods of unprotected exposure to sunlight. This can include not wearing sunscreen or wearing sunscreen with less that SPF 15.

Chemical burns are caused by contact with various chemical products and can affect your skin, eyes, throat and lungs. These can include toilet bowl and drain cleaners, model glue, disinfectants and detergents.

What you can do to prevent scalds

Water

• Set your hot water heater at 120oF or lower or on the hot setting.
• Check the water temperature with a water thermometer or with your elbow before putting children in a bath tub. NEVER leave kids unattended near water.
• Turn off cold water last. If hot water is turned on accidentally, there will be cold water left in the line.

Microwave

• Children under 8 should not use microwaves without adult supervision.

Stove Tops

• Turn all pot/pan handles inward when cooking.
• Keep children out of the kitchen when cooking.
• If using a crock pot, keep the cord out of reach.
• Keep cookie jars away from all cooking surfaces, even when not in use.
• Use knob covers to prevent children from turning on the stove.

Hot Liquids

• Avoid carrying or picking up a child when holding hot liquids.
• Set the table with hot dishes and liquids in the center of the table to avoid accidental spills.
• Test all heated food before giving to a child.

Irons and Curling Irons

• Keep irons and curling irons unplugged and cords out of the reach of children.

Electrical Outlets

• Cover all electrical outlets with plug guards.
• Keep all electrical appliances away from water.

What you can do to prevent flame burns

Flammable Liquids

• Never allow children to play with aerosol cans around open flames.
• Never add fuel (gasoline, kerosene, lighter fluid) to a lit fire or use fuel to start a fire.
• Keep all flammable liquids out of the reach of children by using drawer latches, slide locks and door knob covers.

Fireworks

• Do not allow children to use fireworks of any kind.
• Take children to professional firework displays.

Outdoor Grills

• Check your gas grill for problems before using.
• Watch your child at all times around hot grills before, during and after cooking out.

Camp Fires

• Put out hot coals completely after a camp fire.
• Do not allow children to play around fire or stick items into fire.

Lighters and Matches

• Lighters and matches should always be kept away from children. Use drawer latches and slide locks to keep them out of reach and out of sight.
• Keep lighted cigarettes and ashtrays out of the reach of children.

Candles/Potpourri

• Never use candles in the bedroom.
• Never leave candles or potpourri unattended.
• Place candles up high and in the center of a table.

Home Safety

• Have working smoke detectors on every floor and change the batteries when you change your clocks for daylight savings.
• Have fire extinguishers in working order near open flames such as stoves, fireplaces and gas dryers. Know how to use them.
• Teach children what to do in the event of a fire – stop, drop, and roll.
• Create a fire escape plan for your family and practice it.

What you can do to prevent sunburns

• Use sunscreen, SPF 15 or higher, when children are playing outdoors.
• Reapply sunscreen regularly.
• Limit the amount of time children spend in the sun.

What you can do to prevent chemical burns

• Keep all chemicals out of the reach of children.
• Use drawer latches or slide locks to secure cabinets.
• Use door knob covers to keep children out of rooms or the garage where chemicals are stored.
• Store chemicals on a high shelf or behind a locked door.
• When using chemical products make sure children are out of the area and do not allow them to help or touch.
• Use chemicals in well ventilated areas to prevent inhalant burns and irritation to the skin or eyes.

If your child suffers a burn:

• Extinguish source of heat.
• Remove clothing and jewelry, if possible.
• Immediately put the burned area in cool water or pour cool water over it for 10 minutes. 
• For burns on the face, apply a cool, wet washcloth.
• Do not break blisters
• Call your doctor
• If the burn area is larger than the child’s palm, wrap the child in blankets or sheets and call 911 or go to an Emergency Unit.

This information was provided by the Burn Center and the Answer Line at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.