Children are curious little creatures, with their cute little hands trying to touch everything. But, although cute, this curiosity can also be dangerous, leading to painful burns and scalds. Burns occur in contact with dry heat (oven, fire, stovetop), and scalds occur in contact with wet heat (hot water, hot food, steam).
The prevalence of burns and scalds in children may vary depending on several factors, such as the child’s age. In general, at most risk are children under age 6 because they are curious and active but also not fully aware of potential dangers.
Even if your child is older, you still need to protect them against burns. This article will help you identify common sources of burns, and it will also show you safe practices that will reduce the risk of burns and scalds.
Identifying Common Sources of Burns and Scalds
Statistically speaking, most scalds and burns in children happen at home. Of course, they can happen somewhere else, too. With that in mind, let’s break down the most common sources of burns and scalds in children:
- Hot liquids and foods -meals, beverages, or bathing water that is too hot, are common causes of scalds in children
- Appliances and electrical outlets – ovens, air fryers, electrical outlets, etc. can cause serious burns and scalds
- Sunburns and outdoor hazards – Harsh sunlight can cause serious burns
Kitchen Safety
A good percentage of burns in children happen in the kitchen, so practicing kitchen safety should be your top priority. Safe cooking practices in your daily food preparation will significantly reduce the risk of burns.
Keep your child away from the oven, stoves, and hot dishes. Closely supervise your child if they need to be in the kitchen while you cook. Use a lid or splash guards when frying your food.
Always wear mittens when handling hot pots, pans, baking trays, etc. This will show your child the importance of protecting themselves against heat, and they will likely follow your example.
Use backburners because they are harder to reach. Unplug your kitchen appliances when you are not using them, and keep the electric cords out of your child’s reach. Install appliance locks on your kitchen appliances.
Proper storage of hot items is another important aspect of keeping your child safe. Turn stovetop pot handles away from the stovetop edges so that your child can’t pull them. For the same reason, never leave hot dishes on your kitchen countertop’s edge. Store hot liquids /foods such as stews, soups, tea, or coffee in child-proof and non-spill containers
Bathroom Safety
The bathroom is another hotspot for scalds and burns in children. Many scalds happen during bathtime. That’s why you need to ensure that the water temperature is between 100° and 104° F.
Before you you place your child into the water, always check the temperature with the bath thermometer. If you don’t have one, use your elbow or wrist. The water should be warm but not hot. During the bath, make sure your child doesn’t mess with faucets, especially the ones for hot water.
Other burn hazards in the bathroom are hairstyling tools and beauty items, such as wax warmers, straightening irons, blow dryers, etc. Keep them out of your child’s sight and reach, especially when they are turned on/hot.
Sun Protection
Children like playing outside, especially on sunny days. However, harsh sunlight and UV rays can burn your child’s skin and cause permanent damage. To prevent that from happening, make sure to (re)apply sunscreen on your child’s skin every 2 hours.
Ensure your child wears protective clothing, such as hats, caps, and loose, light-colored clothes that cover their legs and arms. If possible, your child should avoid playing outside when the sun is at its strongest.
Chemical Burns Protection
This type of burn is often overlooked, and many adults are completely unaware of it. Chemical burns occur during contact with chemicals such as acids, cleaning chemicals, paint thinners, gasoline, etc.
Chemical burns are just as dangerous as “regular” burns and scalds. To prevent them from happening to your child, keep all of the dangerous chemicals far out of your child’s reach. The best thing you can do is to keep these chemicals locked away in high cabinets.
Teaching Children about Burn Hazards
Doing all the things mentioned above without educating your child on potential burn dangers is a recipe for catastrophe. Sooner or later, these techniques won’t be enough to keep your child 100% safe. That’s when proper, age-appropriate education comes into play.
When your children are still toddlers, you should use simple language and examples to explain that touching hot things hurts a lot. With preschoolers, you can start using clearer instructions and establishing some safety rules.
If you have school-age children, you can teach them about different types of burn hazards, as well as about proper emergency responses. This is also the time when you can allow your child to help you a bit in the kitchen (under your strict supervision). Such experience will further establish your child’s feeling of responsibility when around burn hazards.
Role-playing is another great way to educate your child about potential burn and scald hazards. Playing is the best way for a child to learn new things, and through roleplaying various scenarios with you, your child will learn how to stay away from burn hazards.
Prevention Is Key
Burn-related injuries are quite common among children, and they most often happen at home. However, following the tips from this article will reduce the chances of your child suffering from burns and scalds.
Hopefully, you learned some useful ways to reduce burn risks in your kitchen and bathroom. Additionally, you are now aware of how important it is to protect your child against sunburns and chemical burns.
Finally, don’t forget to teach your child about potential burn hazards and how to stay safe. Remain vigilant at least until your child is mature and responsible enough to avoid burns and scalds without your help successfully.
Creating a safe home environment goes a long way—and if you’re looking to improve overall household safety, be sure to check out what to look for when buying a childproof gate to help prevent access to high-risk areas like kitchens or bathrooms.
Be aware, and stay safe!
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