Burn and Scald Prevention

Children are especially vulnerable to burns in the home. Each day about 300 kids are seen in emergency rooms for burn or scald injuries, many of which come from our kitchens and can be prevented.  Never hold a child while cooking, drinking a hot liquid or carrying hot foods. Have a “kid-free” zone of 3 feet around the stove and food prep areas.  Turn pot handles to the back of the stove. Place hot liquids and food in the center of a table or toward the back of a countertop.

The smell of cookies baking in the oven or tasty sauces simmering on the stove top is hard to resist for adults and kids alike. Here are a few simple steps to keep your little chef safe from potential burns, whether in the kitchen, around a fireplace or in any other part of your home.

The Facts

  • Fire/burn related injuries are among the leading ten causes of unintentional injury in children ages 0 to 5, with children 2 and younger at greatest risk.
  • Every day, 300 children ages 0 to 19 are treated in emergency departments for burn-related injuries.

Top Tips

  • Don’t carry or hold a child while cooking on the stove. Instead, move a high chair in the kitchen within reach or sight before you start. Then talk to your children so they know what’s going on. It’s a great way to spend time together.
  • With everything going on, we know the water heater is the last thing on your mind. But a small adjustment can give you one less thing to worry about. To prevent accidental scalding, set your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or the manufacturer’s recommended setting.
  • Kids love to reach, so to prevent hot food or liquid spills, simply use the back burner of your stove and turn pot handles away from the edge. Keep hot foods away from the edge of your counters.
  • Make a habit of placing matches, gasoline and lighters in a safe place, out of children’s reach. Avoid novelty lighters or lighters that look like toys.

In the Kitchen

  • Make the area around the stove a kid free zone. This is not a safe place for kids to play.  No kids or pets within 3 feet of the stove when cooking.
  • Don’t carry or hold a child while cooking on the stove.
  • Keep anything that can catch fire away from the stove top—sleeves of our tops or robes, paper towels or hand towels, or the like.
  • Pot handles should be turned to the back of the stove so they can’t be knocked down or turned over.
  • Hot liquids can cause serious burns. Make sure hot liquids and foods are in the center of the table or toward the back of the counter.
  • Scald burns are the 2nd leading cause of burn injuries. Prepackaged microwavable soups are frequently the cause of scald burn injuries. Open microwave-prepared foods slowly, keeping steam away from the face and hands. Stir food well so that the heat can be evenly distributed.  Then let it stand for a few minutes before eating.
  • Keep your baby safe from scalds. Never heat a baby bottle or baby food in a microwave oven.  Heat baby’s bottles and food in warm water from the faucet.
  • A grownup should always watch the stove when they are frying, boiling, or grilling food. Turn burners off completely if you need to step away.
  • Cooking fires are the #1 cause of home fires and home fire injuries. If you have a small cooking fire, do not carry the pan to the sink. Smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan.  Turn off the stove and let the pan cool.  For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.  If you can’t get the fire out or have doubts about fighting the fire, get out of the house closing doors behind you, and call 911 outside.

In  the Bathroom

  • When running a bath, turn on the cold water first to prevent scalding.
  • Before placing your child in the bath, check the water temperature with the inside of your wrist or your elbow. The water should feel warm to the touch, not hot.
  • Place your child in the bath facing away from the water faucet to they are not tempted to couch the hot faucet or turn on the hot water.
  • Set your water heat thermostat to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or below to prevent scalds.

In the Outdoors

  • An outdoor fire bonfire or backyard fire pit is enjoyable certain times of the year. To keep kids safe, keep them back 3 feet or more from the fire.
  • Teach kids not to play near barbeque grills and campfires.
  • Have a buck of water, a hose, or fire extinguisher on hand. Be ready to put the fire out quickly.
  • Never leave a burning fire unattended. Once a fire is extinguished and ashes are cooled, store ashes in a tightly covered metal container, outside, and at least 10 feet from your home or any building.
  • Never use flammable liquids like gasoline to start or make a fire bigger.

RESOURCES