Hot liquids are the major cause of burn injuries in young children. Burns that are caused by contact with a hot liquid are called scalds. They are preventable. A burn from hot water can lead to deep burns requiring surgery and to permanent scars.
Scald prevention in the kitchen
- Provide proper supervision when children are around hot items, especially when they are too young to understand the risks.
- Keep young children away from food preparation areas.
- Do not let children play in the kitchen.
- When possible, use the back burners of the stove and keep pot handles turned in.
- Use stovetop element guards.
- Never hold a child when drinking a hot liquid or while cooking.
- Place hot drinks out of reach of children. Test the temperature of hot food and drinks before giving it to your children to ensure it is warm and not hot.
- Do not let your child eat or drink hot items over their lap or in the car. Instead, always eat and drink at a table to prevent hot items from falling onto your child.
- Keep kitchen appliances and their cords away from the reach of young children.
Scald prevention in the bathroom
- If you are able, reduce the temperature of the water coming out of your taps to 49°C (120°F) or lower.
- Always watch children during bath time. Never leave a child alone in a tub of hot water. Use an anti-scald tap device. The bathwater should be less than 38°C (100°F).
- Place your child’s back to the faucet of the bathtub, so they cannot reach the tap and turn on the water.
- Keep appliances and their cords away from the reach of young children, including irons, and curling irons.
- Teach children to turn on the cold-water tap before the hot water tap.
Burn First Aid
Source
Scalds and burns. Parachute. Retrieved from http://www.parachutecanada.org/injury-topics/item/scalds-and-burns
