Fire and Burn Prevention
Burns are one of the most painful, emotionally devastating and disfiguring injuries.
Scald burn injury (caused by hot liquids or steam) is the most common type of burn-related injury among young children, while flame burns (caused by direct contact with fire) are more prevalent among older children. Children are also at risk for contact, electrical and chemical burns. Because young children have thinner skin than older children and adults, their skin burns at lower temperatures and more deeply. A child exposed to hot tap water at 140 degrees Fahrenheit for three seconds will sustain a third-degree burn, an injury requiring hospitalization and skin grafts. Children, especially those ages 4 and under, may not perceive danger, have less control of their environment, may lack the ability to escape a life-threatening burn situation and may not be able to tolerate the physical stress of a burn injury (Safe Kids USA).
Prevention Tips
- Supervise young children at all times.
- Set your water heater thermostat to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Install water faucets and shower heads containing anti-scald technology.
- When giving a child a bath, run cold water into the tub first, then add hot water.
- Use back burners and turn pot handles to the back of the stove when cooking.
- Keep children away from hot grills and fire pits.
- Keep appliance cords out of children's reach, especially if the appliances contain hot foods or liquids.
- When using the microwave, be careful of steam escaping from containers.
- Keep hot foods and liquids away from table and counter edges.
- Never carry or hold children and hot foods or liquids at the same time.
- Cover unused electrical outlets with safety plugs.
- Check for hot surfaces on metal playground equipment before allowing young children to play on it.
- Install smoke alarms on every level and in every sleeping area of your home. Test the smoke alarms every month and replace batteries every six months or according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Keep matches, lighters, gasoline, and other flammable materials locked away out of children's reach.
Teach children to tell you when they find matches and lighters.
- Avoid dressing children for sleep in loose-fitting, 100 percent cotton garments, i.e. oversized t-shirts.
- Develop and practice a home fire escape plan and designate a meeting place outside.
- Demonstrate how to Stop, Drop, and Roll if clothes catch on fire.
- Teach children not to hide from firefighters; but to get out quickly and call for help from another location.
True Story
A 4 year old boy was trying to help prepare dinner for himself and his siblings by microwaving a cup of instant soup. He found it too hot to handle and dropped it. Spilling the contents over his face, neck, chest and right arm. The boiling liquid instantly produced second and third degree burns. The hot noodles and his shirt stuck to his skin providing further injury. The child was immediately provided analgesia for pain control and wound care was begun. Child Protective Services was contacted due to the concern of poor supervision or possibly neglect. The child was admitted to the burn unit for pain control and initial burn wound care. His ongoing therapy will include further wound management and psychological counseling.
Useful Links
National Fire Protection Association
Virginia Department of Fire Programs
