You're Never Too Young to Suffer From A Burn Injury
The Regional Burn Center at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center cares for children with scald, flame and electrical burns. All of these burns can be prevented.
Scald Prevention
Scald burns are the number one cause of burn injury in children under four. Scald burns can be a lifethreatening injury.
- Do not place hot water bottles with infants or children. These bottles have been known to burst causing severe scalds.
- Do not let children play with water controls on faucets. Always check water temperature before placing a child in a bath. Never leave a child in a bath unattended.
- Check your water heater temperature. Do not have it turned to "Hot" or above 125ºF.
- Do not let children play in the kitchen while cooking. Make the kitchen a "no play" zone. Use high chairs or playpens to keep small children safe.
- Use back burners when cooking. Always turn handles on pots towards the back of the stove.
- Do not place hot beverages or soups near edges of counters or tabletops. Toddlers can reach and climb faster and higher than you think.
- Avoid using tablecloths. They can be pulled causing hot foods to fall onto children.
- Do not hold children while eating hot foods.
- Ask restaurant servers not to serve food or beverages over or around children.
Thermal & Electrical Burn Prevention
- Do not hold children while ironing. Never leave a hot iron unattended.
- Never leave a child unattended near any fire including fireplaces, barbeques, campfires and candles. Keep children confined to an area away from these flame sources.
- Avoid use of portable space heaters.
- Use caution in older homes with floor heater vents. A toddler can easily walk across them.
- Keep matches, lighters and fireworks out of reach.
- Do not smoke while holding children. Set a safe and healthy example.
- Keep cords from irons, rice cookers/steamers, coffee pots, curling irons and other hot appliances from dangling within reach of children.
- Do not let children use microwave ovens or cooking ranges.
- Make sure unused outlets are plugged with approved outlet covers.
- Keep flammable liquids (gasoline, paints, alcohol, lighter fluid, etc.) locked away from children.
- Dress children in tight-fitting, flame-resistant pajamas.
- Teach children about fire safety including the meaning of "hot." Install and maintain smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.
- Teach children how to "stop, drop and roll."
- Have home fire drills and practice escape routes.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun. Use sun block and reapply frequently.
- Keep shoes on children when walking in the sand. Fire coals at the beach, buried beneath the sand, can stay hot for many hours.
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See also:
Tips to Keep your Children Safe from Home Fires