Burn and Fire Prevention

You can be the best burn prevention

Young children need supervision almost constantly. Unfortunately, they can’t be watched every second of the day. It only takes a brief instant for a young child to get into serious trouble.

Hot liquids burn like fire

Most people associate burns with fire, but scald burns caused by hot liquids are actually the most common cause of severe burns in children. Scald burns and other burns can be traced to many common household appliances and fixtures including some of the following:

• Bathtubs
• Coffee pots
• Crockpots
• Cups or bowls of tea, soup or coffee
• Electric fryers
• BBQ grills
• Hot tubs
• Liquids or foods from the microwave
• Pans on the stove
• Sinks
• Steam vaporizers
• Curling irons
• Clothes irons
• Stovetops
• Fireplaces
• Microwaved liquids
• Treadmills can also cause burns of the hands from friction

Tips for preventing scald burns

Thankfully, most scald burns are preventable if a few simple guidelines are followed.

• Never allow electric cords to hang from a counter or table top.
• Never leave young children unsupervised in the kitchen or bathroom.
• Keep children out of the kitchen while preparing meals.
• Never leave hot beverages, soups or foods unattended or within reach of a toddler.
• Never hold a child in your lap while drinking a hot beverage.
• Test bath water before placing a child in the tub. An adult should be able to place his of her arm in the water for 30 seconds without discomfort.
• Never leave the bathroom while there is a child in the tub.
• Before bathing your child, run cool water in the bathtub first, followed by hot water.
• Secure a latch to the upper part of the bathroom door to keep children out of the bathroom so they can’t turn on the hot water and burn themselves.

Tips for preventing fire burns

Fire play is never safe and causes the most significant burns among children, 75 percent of children who suffer a flame burn injury were injured while playing with fire. Learn more about how to manage your child's interest in fire.

Plan and practice a family escape plan  from your home in case of a fire. Discuss and set a meeting place, as well.

A matter of degrees

Burns are classified by the amount of damage done to the skin and other body tissue.

• First-degree burns, such as sunburns are minor and heal quickly. Symptom: reddened skin.
• Second-degree burns are serious injuries that require medical attention. Symptom: blistered, peeling skin.
• Third-degree burns are severe and require immediate, professional medical attention. Symptom: dry, charred, white, yellow, or bright red tissue. Although the severely burned area may not be blistered, it often is surrounded by blistered areas.

If your child gets burned

• Cool It: For minor burns, cool the burned area, preferably with cool running water for 10 minutes to carry the heat away from the child’s skin and reduce pain. Never use ice. Larger burns require emergency treatment. Cover them with a clean, dry sheet until help arrives.
• Wrap It: After cooling the burned area, wrap it loosely in sterile gauze or clean cloth. If the burned area begins to blister get medical help.
• Never Use Grease: Putting butter or grease on a burn holds in heat, making the injury worse.
• Treat for Shock: To minimize the risk of shock, if the burn is severe, keep the child’s body temperature normal by placing the child on his or her back and covering unburned areas with a clean, dry blanket. Remove all rings and tight clothing before swelling occurs. If possible, elevate the burned areas.
• For minor burns that can be treated at home take Ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Tylenol) to relieve any pain and consult with your family physician if the burn does not heal in two to three days and signs of infection appear.