Burns are one of the most common household injuries in children. They can happen in seconds, so it’s important for parents and caregivers to know how to prevent them and what to do if they happen.
Heather Santiago, trauma outreach coordinator with Banner Children’s, said, “Infants’ and children’s skin is much thinner than adult skin. Burns happen faster, go deeper and cause more long-term damage than most people expect.” She shared some easy-to-follow tips to help you prevent burns at home and keep your family safe.
Prevent scalds in the bathroom
Hot water is a leading cause of burn injuries in children, especially infants and toddlers. Lower the risk with these simple changes:
- Set your water heater to 120°F or lower to prevent scalding.
- “Always turn cold water on first and off last when running baths or showers,” Santiago said.
- Install anti-scald devices on faucets and shower heads. These devices detect temperature changes and adjust if the water gets too hot.
- Test bath water with your elbow, wrist or a bath thermometer before placing your child in the tub.
- Never leave a child unattended in the bath, even for a moment. Along with the risk of drowning, a child could turn on the hot water and get burned.
Practice kitchen safety
Your kitchen most likely has more burn hazards than any other room in your house, from hot food and drinks to stove-top flames. To help prevent kitchen burns:
- “Create a ‘kid-free zone’ of at least three feet around the stove and oven,” Santiago said. Younger children should be in a safe spot like a playpen or highchair outside of this zone while you cook.
- Use the back burners when you’re cooking and turn pot handles away from the stove’s edge.
- Skip tablecloths or placemats if kids could reach and pull them.
- Keep hot drinks, soups and sauces away from the edges of counters and tables and well out of reach.
- Don’t let cords for appliances like slow-cookers, deep fryers, coffeemakers or toasters dangle over the counter edge.
Use the microwave safely
Microwave cooking is quick and convenient, but it can also be risky for children. To prevent burns from the microwave:
- Never heat baby bottles in the microwave. “They can get hot spots that can cause burns,” Santiago said. Heat them with warm water instead.
- Make sure young children know to ask for help before removing food from the microwave.
- Always test food temperature before serving.
- Stir food and let it sit for a minute before you serve it.
- Open containers away from your and your child’s faces to avoid steam burns.
Keep hot appliances out of reach
Some of the most painful burns come from everyday appliances. A few extra seconds of precaution can prevent scars that can last a lifetime. Follow these appliance burn prevention tips:
- Store irons, curling irons, hair straighteners and appliance cords where children can’t reach them.
- Unplug appliances when you aren’t using them and let them fully cool before you store them.
- Use cord shorteners and keep cords away from the edges of counters and tables.
Be aware of heating sources
Portable heaters and fireplaces can keep you warm and create a cozy atmosphere, but they can also burn curious kids.
- Keep children away from space heaters, kerosene lamps, fireplaces and grills.
- Cover radiators and heating vents with guards, if possible.
- Use safety gates around fireplaces or wood stoves.
- Never leave a heater running with an unsupervised child.
- “Keep gas fireplace keys, logs, matches, lighters and tools out of reach,” Santiago said.
Practice outdoor burn prevention
Burn safety isn’t just an indoor concern. Outside, children may encounter dangerous situations:
- Always supervise campfires, fire pits and BBQ grills closely. “Enforce a ‘no play zone’ around them. Even after the campfire has been put out, it remains hot for some time and children may trip and fall into the hot coals or ashes,” Santiago said.
- Teach children to stay away from sparklers and fireworks.
- “Playground equipment can get hot in the sun. Check slides, swings, metal benches and monkey bars before kids use them,” Santiago said. Check car seat buckles too.
- Check the water temperature before children spray an outdoor hose.
- Make sure children wear shoes when they’re walking on pavement. “In hot climates, asphalt and concrete can reach temperatures well above 140°F. That’s hot enough to cause second-degree burns in just seconds,” Santiago said. “Remember to check for burns after a fall onto pavement, concrete or asphalt.”
- Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen regularly to children over 6 months of age to protect them from sunburn. Keep young babies out of the sun.
Burn first-aid for children
Minor burns are red, swollen and painful. If a minor burn happens, quick action can help. Here’s how to treat minor burns:
- Get away from the heat source.
- Cool the burn under cool (not cold) running water for 10 to 20 minutes to stop the burning process and reduce pain, swelling and skin damage. Use a clean, cool, wet compress if you don’t have access to cool running water.
- Remove clothing, diapers or jewelry that’s near the burn site.
- Never apply butter, oils or ice to a burn.
- Cover the burn with a loose, clean, nonstick bandage or cloth. Change the dressing every day and keep the area dry.
“Watch for signs of infection such as redness spreading, increased pain, drainage or fever, which could happen several days later. If these symptoms occur, get medical attention. Even small burns can be deeper than they appear and delaying medical care can lead to complications,” Santiago said.
When to get emergency care
Call 911 or visit the emergency department, at a burn center if possible, if your child has:
- Large, deep or severe burns
- Burns that are white, charred, waxy, leathery or translucent
- Burns on the joints, face, hands, feet or genitals
- Burns that cause blisters over a large area
- Burns where there’s no feeling in the area when it’s touched
- Burns with signs of infection, such as redness, swelling or pus
- Any burn from fire, electricity or chemicals
Getting treatment right away can help reduce complications and speed recovery.
Protecting kids starts at home
A few simple safety habits can help you prevent burns before they happen. If your child experiences a burn, our pediatric care teams are here to help. If you would like to know more about preventing burns in kids, reach out to an expert at Banner Health.
