Prevention of scald burns

FLAME burn

1. Store all matches and lighters securely so they are inaccessible to children.

2.

Use only child-resistant lighters.

3.

Never leave children unattended near a heat source.

4.

Infants should wear flame-resistant sleepwear and costumes.

5.

Teach children to STOP, DROP and ROLL on the ground if their clothing were to catch

fire and to place cool water on a burn.

6.

Install smoke detectors on each level of the house and outside all sleeping areas. (Be sure

to read the manufacturer’s instructions). Test the batteries once a month, and allow

children to hear the alarm so that they will recognize the sound.

7. Practice EDITH (Exit Drills In The Home).

8.

Install a fire escape ladder in all bedrooms above the first floor.

9.

Review the home fire exit plan with all home childcare providers.

10.

If a child engages in fire play or fire-setting behaviour, contact the local fire department or

burn center for educaton and counselling recommendations.

CONTACT burns

1. Use curling irons, irons and glue guns with caution when small children are present.

2.

If the outside temperature is high, use caution when placing children in car seats or using

metal buckles. They should be examined by an adult before use by a child.

3.

Caution children about touching heated radiators, space heaters and floor furnace grates.

4.

Never leave a child unattended near a campfire. Make sure the child wears shoes to

prevent injury from contact with hot coals.

SCALD burns

1. Check the temperature on the hot water heater; the recommended setting is 120 ºF

(48.8 ºC).

2.

Install antiscald devices in bathroom plumbing.

3.

Never leave young childen unattended in the bathtub or in the kitchen while cooking;

restrict a child’s access to the kitchen when cooking.

4.

Face children away from the bathtub faucet to reduce the likelihood of the child turning

on the hot water.

5.

Double-check the temperature of the bath water before placing a child in the tub

(recommended temperature is 36.1–37.8 ºC or 97–100 ºF)

6.

Review bathtub safety tips with all home childcare providers.

7. When carrying or holding children, be sure to keep hot beverages away from the child.

8.

When cooking, use the back burners and always turn the pot handles inward.

9.

Keep appliances toward the back of the countertop. Wind cords up and out of reach.

10.

Avoid using tablecloths with young children present; they can pull them off easily.

11. Supervise children closely when hot foods are being served and carried.

12.

Never microwave a child’s bottle or allow young children to remove items from the

microwave.

13.

Take extra precautions when removing heated foods from the microwave oven when

children are around.

14.

Use cool mist (not steam) vaporizers.

CHEMICAL burns

1. Keep all chemicals inaccessible to children and in their original container.

2.

When finished with a chemical, recap and discard the container appropriately.

ELECTRICAL burns

1. Make sure all electrical outlets are inaccesible to young children. Block outlets with heavy

furniture and use outlet covers to prevent a child from attempting to insert things into

them.

2.

Never place an electrical appliance near a water source (e.g., bathtub, sink).

3.

Use electrical extension cords with caution. Mouth burns have been associated with

extension cords.

4.

Teach children never to extend objects near high-power lines.

RADIATION burns

1. Apply sunscreen to all exposed skin before sun exposure, reapply it as recommended and

wear protective clothing.