Things like playground slides, sidewalks, car surfaces, asphalt roads, pavement or pool decks may not seem particularly dangerous. But they can get hot enough to burn skin.
These injuries, called contact burns, are more common during summer and extreme heat, especially in hot climates like Arizona. But they don’t only happen in the summer. A hot surface can burn skin any time it heats up in direct sunlight, even when the air temperature is mild.
Knowing which surfaces get hot, who is most at risk and what to do if a burn happens can help you and your family stay safe.
Dr. Lourdes Castañón, MD, director of burn surgery with Banner - University Medicine, explained more about preventing and treating contact burns.
What is a contact burn?
A contact burn is a burn that happens when a hot surface or object touches skin. The longer skin stays in contact with the surface, the worse the burn can be. “Some burns may look mild at first and become more painful or noticeable later,” Dr. Castañón said.
Contact burns are not just a summer problem
Even though summer heat raises the risk, contact burns can happen at other times of the year.
- Dark surfaces often absorb and hold more heat
- Metal, rubber, plastic, asphalt, concrete, artificial turf and car surfaces can heat up quickly
- A surface may stay hot even after the air temperature starts to drop
Why Arizona heat raises the risk
In Arizona and other hot, sunny climates, the sun shines down on surfaces for long periods. Pavement, asphalt, pool decks, turf and car interiors can become much hotter than the air. These surfaces can even remain hot into the evening.
Contact burns can happen during everyday activities like:
- Walking barefoot to the pool
- Sitting on a bench
- Touching a car buckle
- Playing at a park
Be extra careful on extreme heat days and during heat advisories.
Outdoor surfaces that can cause contact burns
Be careful around these areas.
Playground and park surfaces
- Slides, swings and climbing structures
- Metal railings
- Rubber mats
- Artificial turf
- Benches and picnic tables
- Splash pad surfaces
- Pool decks
- Concrete or asphalt near playgrounds
Check surfaces before you let children play on or near them. Remember that children may not move away quickly if they are surprised or stuck and toddlers may crawl or fall onto hot surfaces.
Outdoor walking surfaces
- Asphalt roads
- Parking lots
- Sidewalks
- Concrete paths
- Pool decks
- Sand
- Artificial turf
- Patio pavers
- Splash pads
- Outdoor steps
Car surfaces
- Seat belt and stroller buckles
- Car seats and booster seats
- Leather or vinyl seats
- Steering wheels, door handles and metal trim
- Wheelchair seats or mobility equipment left in the heat
What time of day are contact burns most likely?
Contact burn risk is usually highest from late morning through early evening. “In sunny, hot climates, surfaces can stay hot long after the air temperature drops. So you should still be careful in the evening if surfaces were in the sun for hours,” Dr. Castañón said.
Early morning is usually the safest time for outdoor play, walking or errands. Cloud cover may lower the risk but contact burns are still possible. You should check surfaces any time you think they might be hot.
Who is most at risk for contact burns?
For some people, the risk is higher.
Young children
Young children are at higher risk because their skin is thinner and burns faster. Babies and toddlers often don't recognize danger and they may not move away quickly. They may play barefoot on playground surfaces, turf, pavement or pool decks.
Older adults
Older adults are at higher risk because their skin may be more fragile.
People with medical conditions or mobility limits
Some people may not feel heat quickly because they have less sensation in their skin due to:
- Diabetes
- Neuropathy
- Circulation problems
- Spinal cord injury
- Poor circulation
Balance issues or mobility limits can also make it harder to move away quickly after contact with a hot surface. People using wheelchairs, walkers, prosthetics or other mobility equipment can be at risk. The mobility equipment itself can also become hot.
People with outdoor exposure
People who spend long periods outdoors, including outdoor workers, people waiting for transit and people who are unhoused, may also face higher risk. Hot pavement, benches, sidewalks and metal surfaces can burn skin.
How to prevent contact burns from hot surfaces
- Choose safer times: Avoid risky areas during the hottest parts of the day.
- Check surfaces first: Use the back of your hand to test surfaces.
- Wear the right clothes: Dress children in shoes and lightweight clothing that covers their skin.
- Cover hot items: Put a towel or cover over hot car seats, stroller seats or mobility equipment, and use car sunshades or park in the shade.
- Supervise closely: Don’t place babies or toddlers on pavement, turf, pool decks or rubber playground surfaces. Carry young children across hot parking lots.
- Monitor equipment: Check wheelchair seats, walker handles, stroller buckles and mobility equipment that has been outside or in a hot car.
What does a contact burn look like?
With a contact burn, you may notice:
- Redness: Mild burns may look red and feel painful or tender
- Blistering: Blistering or peeling skin are signs of a deeper burn
- Color changes: White, brown, leathery or charred skin can mean deep tissue damage
- Numbness: Severe burns may be less painful because of nerve damage
- Patterns: The burn often matches the shape of the hot object or surface
How to treat a minor contact burn at home
Take these steps for a minor contact burn:
- Get away from the hot surface immediately
- Run cool water over the burn for about 20 minutes if possible
- Take off jewelry, tight clothing or shoes near the burn if they aren't stuck to the skin
- Cover the burn with a clean, nonstick bandage or cloth
- Use over-the-counter (OTC) pain medicine as directed if it’s safe for you or your child
When to get medical care for a contact burn
You should contact a health care provider if:
- The burn is larger than a palm or there are blisters over a large area
- The burn is on the face, hands, feet, genitals or a major joint
- The skin looks white, brown, leathery, charred or dry
- The person is a baby, young child, older adult or someone with diabetes, poor circulation, neuropathy or a weakened immune system
- You notice redness, swelling, pus, fever or red streaks
- The burn makes daily activity difficult
Call 911 or visit an emergency room for deep or large burns or if the burn happens after a serious fall. You should also get emergency care if the burn comes with confusion, fainting or heat stroke symptoms.
Why quick care matters for serious burns
Serious burns need prompt care because:
- It can be hard to tell how deep a burn is
- Skin damage can get worse
- Injured skin is at high risk of infection
Deeper injuries may need special dressings or an evaluation with a burn specialist.
The bottom line
Contact burns are more common during summer and extreme heat, especially in hot climates like Arizona. But they can happen any time a surface gets hot enough to burn skin.
Check surfaces, protect children and older adults and get care if a burn is large, blistering, deep, painful, infected or in a high-risk area.
Contact burns can be more serious than they first appear. If you aren’t sure how severe a burn is, a Banner Health provider can evaluate the injury and help you get the right care.
FAQs
Can playground equipment burn a child’s skin?
Yes. Slides, swings, railings, rubber mats, artificial turf and playground surfacing can become hot enough to burn skin, especially in direct sunlight.
Can asphalt or pavement cause burns?
Yes. Hot asphalt, sidewalks, pool decks and parking lots can burn bare feet, hands or knees. Falls on hot pavement can be especially dangerous if someone cannot get up quickly.
What car surfaces can burn skin?
Seat belt buckles, car seats, booster seats, steering wheels, door handles, metal trim and dark seats can become hot enough to burn skin.
What time of day are contact burns most likely?
Risk is often highest from late morning through early evening but surfaces can stay hot after air temperature drops.
Should I put ice on a contact burn?
No. Ice can damage the skin. Use cool running water instead.
