There are nearly 2.5 million ]]>burn injuries]]> reported each year, with more than 75% occurring in the home. Children under the age of five are at highest risk. In fact, scalding injuries are the leading cause of accidental death of children in the home.


Burn Prevention Tips

You can take the following simple steps to reduce your child's risk of getting burned:

Sleeping

  • Make sure your child's sleepwear is flame-resistant.

Cooking

  • Turn pot handles to the center or rear of the stove when cooking and use the back burners whenever possible.
  • Test the temperature of food heated in a microwave before giving it to a child. Microwaves tend to heat unevenly and some portions can be very hot.
  • Remember that kitchen appliances and cookware remain hot enough to burn for quite a while after you are done using them.

Eating and Drinking

  • Do not drink hot liquids when holding a baby. The liquid could spill and burn the baby.
  • Avoid using a tablecloth when children are learning to walk. A child could try to use it to pull him or herself up and knock a heavy object or something containing hot liquid onto him or herself.

Bathing

  • Use a baby bath thermometer to test the temperature of your child's bath water.
  • Lower the hot-water heater setting to 120°F or the low-medium setting.

Fire Prevention

  • Keep cigarette lighters and matches away from children. Even a child as young as two can figure out how to use them.
  • Don't leave lit candles unattended. They are easy for children (or pets) to knock over.
  • Install smoke detectors on every floor of your home. Check monthly to make sure they are working properly, and replace the batteries annually.
  • Create a fire escape plan and practice it with your children. Teach them to go outside if a fire occurs in the house.

Electricity and Appliances

  • Always supervise children around fires, stoves, heaters, or anything that could cause burn injury.
  • Cover unused electrical outlets with plastic plug covers.
  • Keep electrical cords from irons, coffee pots, and other appliances out of the reach of children.