Burn prevention tips
There are many ways a child can get a burn in the home. Discover some types of burns that can occur and tips to prevent burns in children, from AboutKidsHealth.Causes of burns
Household burns may result from:
- contact with any hot object (e.g., stove or glass-fronted fireplace)
- contact with a hot liquid (e.g., spilling a cup of coffee)
- common household cleaners (cleaners containing ammonia or bleach can cause chemical burns)
- playing with matches, lighters or electrical cords
- Burns caused by hot liquid (scalds) make up 70% of burns in children. A scald can do as much damage as a flame and just as quickly — water that is 60°C (140°F) destroys skin in only six seconds.
Burns caused by hot liquid (scalds) make up 70% of burns in children. A scald can do as much damage as a flame and just as quickly — water that is 60°C (140°F) destroys skin in only six seconds.
Preventing burns
Most burns in the home happen in the kitchen. To keep children safe in the kitchen:
- Keep children away from the counter when you are cooking or preparing hot drinks.
- Keep pot handles turned inwards and use back burners of the stove when possible.
- Never let children try to pour hot liquids.
- Use mugs with securely screwed lids.
- Be careful with microwaved liquids. Let them cool for several minutes after they have been removed from the microwave.
- Do not let appliance cords dangle from counters or tables.
Burns caused by hot liquid (scalds) make up 70% of burns in children.
Burns also happen in the bathroom if water from the tap is too hot. To prevent burns in the bathroom, make sure the temperature gauge on your water heater is set at 49°C (120°F) or lower. See the “Bathroom safety” section of Burns: Household safety and prevention to learn what you can do if you cannot adjust the temperature of the water yourself.
Learn more about preventing burns in the bathroom and other areas of the home in the AboutKidsHealth article, Burns: Household safety and prevention.
AboutKidsHealth is SickKids’ health-education website and features more than 3,500 articles on a range of health topics. For more information on burns and other health topics, visit www.aboutkidshealth.ca.
