Burn and Scald Prevention

Like Most Injuries, Burns are Preventable

Apr 23, 2009 Kimberley Powell

In 1997/98, hospital burn units across Canada treated 1059 children for burns and scalds. Half of these children were between the ages of 1 and 4 years old.

Burns are a major cause of injury and death for Canadian children and perhaps the most devastating injury anyone can sustain. Not only is the treatment long and painful, burn victims and their families often sustain additional consequences including permanent scarring, physical and emotional disability, and repeated surgery and skin grafting (Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program).

From kids washing up under a too-hot faucet to an accidental tipping of a coffee cup, burns are a potential hazard in every home. In fact, burns, especially scalds from hot water and liquids, are some of the most common childhood accidents.

Burn and scald injuries, like other injuries, are preventable. Taking some simple precautions can reduce the chances that your child will be burned. To prevent these injuries ensure you:

• Check the temperature of the hot water in your home by using a meat or candy thermometer. Turn on the tap and let the water run for 2 minutes. Lower your water temperature to 49 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit), or install anti-scald devices on your taps.

• Keep children out of the way while cooking or making hot drinks. For example, use a safety gate, playpen or high chair to restrain your child. Turn the pot handles towards the back of the stove or only use the back burners. Ensure kettle or crock-pot cords are not dangling down for curious hands to pull on.

• Keep hot drinks away from children. Put a tight-fitting lid on hot drinks.

• Never leave a child alone with a space heater or a natural gas fireplace with glass doors. In addition, keep lighters and matches out of the reach of children.

• Choose sleepwear that's labeled flame retardant (either polyester or treated cotton).

Common Causes

The first step in helping to prevent your child from being burned is to understand the common causes of burns in children:

• Flames or hot objects (from the stove, fireplace, curling iron, etc.)
• Burns (from biting on electrical cords or sticking fingers or objects in electrical outlets, etc.)
• The sun

More than 2 million people living in the U.S. and Canada are treated for burns every year. Burn injury, whether accidental or inflicted, remains one of the leading causes of childhood death and disfigurement in the United States and Canada. (Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program)

3,000 Children die Each Year as a Result of Burn Trauma

Although an estimated 75 percent of burn injuries and deaths are believed to be preventable, an estimated one million children are injured and 3,000 children die each year as a result of burn trauma. For those who survive, permanent scarring, physical deformity, social isolation and emotional trauma linger well beyond the initial tragedy.(Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program)

Although some minor burns aren't cause for concern and can be safely treated at home, other more serious burns require medical care. Taking some simple precautions to make your home safer can prevent many burns.

The copyright of the article Burn and Scald Prevention in Health Field is owned by Kimberley Powell. Permission to republish Burn and Scald Prevention in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Candle

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