Burns and Scald Prevention for Children

Burns are one of the most painful and potentially serious injuries a child can experience. Every day, over 300 children are treated in emergency rooms for burn injuries. The good news is that most burns are preventable. Understanding the risks and taking precautions can protect your child.

Understanding Burn Risk Safe Kids

Children face unique burn risks:

Why children are vulnerable:

• Thinner skin burns more deeply at lower temperatures
• Curious and impulsive—touch before thinking
• Can't judge temperature or danger
• May not react quickly enough to avoid injury
• Limited understanding of cause and effect

Leading causes of child burns:
1. Scalds from hot liquids (leading cause for under 5)
2. Contact burns (touching hot surfaces)
3. Fire/flame injuries
4. Electrical burns
5. Chemical burns
6. Sunburns

Scald Prevention AAP

Scalds from hot liquids cause the majority of burns in young children:

### Kitchen Safety

Coffee, tea, and hot beverages:

• Never hold a child while drinking something hot
• Keep hot drinks away from table edges
• Don't use tablecloths (children can pull them)
• Create a "kid-free zone" when cooking
• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove
• Use back burners when possible

Cooking safety:

• Supervise constantly—never leave cooking unattended
• Keep children at least 3 feet from the stove
• Use oven mitts, not towels, to handle hot items
• Don't let cords dangle (slow cookers, kettles)
• Keep appliances pushed back from counter edges

Microwave safety:

• Test all microwaved food before serving—it heats unevenly
• Be especially careful with baby food and bottles—hot spots can burn
• Open containers away from face (steam burns)
• Never microwave baby bottles

### Bathroom Safety

Water temperature:

• Set water heater to 120°F (48°C) or lower
• At 140°F, a child can get a severe burn in 3 seconds
• At 120°F, it takes about 5 minutes
• Test water temperature with your wrist or elbow before bathing child

Bath safety:

• Fill tub first, then bring child in
• Test water temperature before placing child in
• Run cold water first, then add hot
• Never leave a child alone in the tub (even briefly)
• Consider anti-scald devices for faucets and showerheads

Faucet safety:

• Teach children "cold is first"
• Install anti-scald devices
• Keep curious hands away from hot water handles

### Food and Drink Safety

Hot foods:

• Test temperature before feeding
• Stir heated foods to eliminate hot spots
• Wait for food to cool adequately
• Be cautious with items that retain heat (soups, sauces, melted cheese)

Baby bottles and formula:

• Never microwave bottles
• Heat in warm water and test on wrist
• Shake well to distribute heat evenly

Contact Burn Prevention CPSC

Hot surfaces can cause serious burns:

Fireplace and heater safety:

• Install barriers around fireplaces and wood stoves
• Keep children at least 3 feet from space heaters
• Choose heaters with automatic shut-off
• Never leave heaters unattended
• Keep flammable materials away from heat sources

Oven and stove:

• Use oven door locks
• Teach children that the stove is hot
• Don't let children touch the oven door
• Keep play areas away from kitchen

Other hot surfaces:

• Curling irons, flat irons, hair dryers
• Car seat buckles and steering wheels in hot weather
• Outdoor grills
• Exhaust pipes on cars and motorcycles
• Hot pavement and playground equipment in summer

Hot car surfaces:

• Check car seat buckles and steering wheel before use
• Cover car seats when parked
• Use sunshades
• Metal slides and playground equipment can cause burns in summer

Fire Safety NFPA

Fire causes the most severe burns:

Smoke alarms:

• Install on every level and near bedrooms
• Test monthly
• Replace batteries annually (or use 10-year alarms)
• Replace alarms every 10 years

Fire escape planning:

• Create and practice a home fire escape plan
• Identify two ways out of every room
• Establish a meeting place outside
• Practice with children until it becomes automatic

Fire prevention:

• Keep matches and lighters locked away
• Never leave candles unattended
• Keep flammable items away from heat sources
• Don't overload electrical outlets
• Have fireplace and heating equipment inspected annually

Stop, drop, and roll:

• Teach children this technique
• Stop immediately—don't run
• Drop to the ground
• Roll to smother flames
• Cover face with hands

Electrical Burn Prevention CPSC

Electrical injuries can be severe:

Outlet safety:

• Use outlet covers or plates
• Choose tamper-resistant outlets (required in new construction)
• Don't overload outlets

Cord safety:

• Replace frayed or damaged cords
• Don't run cords under rugs
• Keep cords away from heat and water
• Unplug appliances when not in use

Appliance safety:

• Keep electrical items away from water
• Don't use appliances with wet hands
• Unplug before cleaning
• Don't put objects in toasters

Outdoor electrical safety:

• Stay away from power lines
• Don't fly kites near power lines
• Never touch downed power lines
• Don't climb utility poles or substation fences

Chemical Burn Prevention AAP

Household chemicals can cause burns:

Storage:

• Keep all chemicals locked and out of reach
• Store in original containers
• Never put chemicals in food containers

Common household chemical hazards:

• Drain cleaners
• Oven cleaners
• Bleach
• Battery acid
• Lime products

If chemical exposure occurs:

• Remove contaminated clothing
• Flush with large amounts of water
• Call Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222
• Do not induce vomiting unless instructed

First Aid for Burns American Red Cross

For minor burns (small, superficial):
1. Cool the burn immediately with cool (not cold) running water for 10-20 minutes
2. Remove tight items (rings, watches) before swelling
3. Don't apply ice—it can cause frostbite
4. Don't apply butter, oil, or toothpaste
5. Apply aloe vera or mild moisturizer
6. Cover with sterile bandage
7. Give pain reliever if needed

For serious burns:
1. Call 911 for large burns, burns to face/hands/feet/genitals, or deep burns
2. Don't remove clothing stuck to the burn
3. Don't immerse large burns in water (risk of hypothermia)
4. Cover loosely with clean cloth
5. Monitor for shock
6. Don't apply ointments to serious burns

Seek medical attention for:

• Burns larger than 3 inches
• Burns on face, hands, feet, joints, genitals
• Burns that go around an arm or leg (circumferential)
• Deep burns (white, brown, or black in color)
• Electrical or chemical burns
• Burns in children under 5 (lower threshold for concern)
• Any burn causing blisters

When to Go to the ER AAP

Go to the emergency room if:

• Burn is larger than the child's palm
• Burn is on face, hands, feet, joints, or genitals
• Burn appears deep (white, brown, charred)
• Chemical or electrical burn
• Burn goes all the way around a limb
• Child is under 1 year old
• There are signs of infection (increased redness, swelling, fever)
• Child is having difficulty breathing (smoke inhalation)

The Bottom Line

Most childhood burns are preventable with awareness and precautions. Set your water heater to 120°F, create kid-free zones around hot cooking areas, keep matches and lighters locked away, and install working smoke alarms. Teach children about burn hazards in age-appropriate ways, and know basic first aid for when burns do occur.

Clara can help you evaluate your home for burn hazards and answer any burn prevention questions!