Scalds are the leading cause of burn-related emergency visits for young children

National Burn Awareness Week-- February 3-9, 2013

By Kristen Thorstenson, Safe Kids Snohomish

In 2009, 391 children ages 19 and under died due to fire or burn-related injuries. As National Burn Awareness Week comes to a close, take a few moments to see how you can keep your child safe every day.

For young children, scalds are the leading cause of burn-related emergency visits and hospitalizations. Scald injuries are most prevalent in children under 5.

A recent study found that of the non-tap water scalds, 90.4% were related to hot cooking or drinking liquids.

Children have thinner skin and therefore get severe burns at lower temperatures and in less time than an adult.

Scald prevention

A scald is a burn from hot liquid or steam.
The most common places children experience burns caused from scalds are in the kitchen, dining room and bathroom; Set your home water heater to a temperature of 120˚F (48˚C).

Kitchen and Hot Food

• Keep children at least 3 feet from hot appliances, pots, pans, food or liquids.
• Use spill-resistant mugs when drinking hot liquids around children.
• Avoid using tablecloths or anything a child can pull on and cause hot food to spill.
• When cooking, use back burners and keep pot handles turned towards the back of the stove.
• Always tuck appliance cords where children cannot reach them.
• Never hold a child when cooking something hot.
• Test and stir all food before serving children to make sure it is cool enough to eat.
• Closely supervise children when they are in or near the kitchen.

Bathroom

• Always test the bath water with your hand before bathing children. 
• When children are in or near the bath, watch them closely, and check the water temperature frequently.

Safe Kids Snohomish County works to prevent unintentional childhood injury, the leading cause of death and disability to children ages 1 to 14. Safe Kids Snohomish County was founded in 1999 and is proudly led by Providence Regional Medical Center Everett,