Scald Burns

Thousands of scald burns occur annually, and ALL are preventable! The two high-risk populations are children under the age of 5 and adults over 65. Continuous supervision of young children is the single most important factor in preventing scald burns. Increased awareness is the key to scald prevention!

Safety Tips:

• KITCHENS:
  • Cook on rear burners and turn pot handles to the back of the stove.
  • Avoid wearing loose clothing around open flames and roll up your sleeves.
  • Never leave cooking food unattended.
  • Open the microwave slowly and allow food to cool before eating.
  • Make sure that children and obstacles are out of your path before carrying hot liquids.
  • When young children are present, avoid using tablecloths and keep hot foods in the center of the table.
  • When preparing a meal, keep children out of the kitchen area.
  • Never hold a child while handling a hot liquid.
  • Wipe up spills and clean your oven regularly. Built up grease can catch fire.
  • Keep all cooking areas free from clutter.
• BATHROOMS:
  • Turn down your water heater setting to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Never leave a young child unattended in the bathroom.
  • Install special safety valves or remove the hot water handles in the tub/shower.
  • Always test bath water with your hand or thermometer before bathing children; younger children have thinner skin than adults, which makes them more susceptible to burns.
  • Never leave young children unattended in the bathtub.

Facts and Figures:

• Scalds are the leading cause of burn injuries, particularly to young children and senior adults.
• Hot liquids can cause first, second and third degree burns depending on temperature and length of exposure.
• At 155 degrees, a third degree burn can occur within 1 second.
• The risk of a scald injury could be greatly reduced by turning your water heater to a low or warm setting (120-130).