Burn Prevention

Approximately 85 percent of all burns occur at home. The Burn Care Team is dedicated to preventing burn accidents. More than 6,000 children die each year as a result of serious burn injury. Common high risks for children include hot water, house fire, hot grease, hot liquids, and matches.

Here are several ways to help you prevent burn injuries in children:

• Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children.
• Teach children the proper ways to light and extinguish matches. These lessons will hopefully discourage a child from hiding and playing with matches.
• Store goodies away from the stove.
• Use short cords on electrical appliances.
• Teach children not to stand against or touch the stove or heater.
• Keep hot liquids out of reach.
• Keep children from under foot while cooking.
• Keep pan handles turned in while cooking, so they cannot be pulled off the stove by a child.
• Keep hot water at 125º or below as it comes from tap.
• Test hot water before putting child in the bathtub.
• Never leave a child unattended in a bathtub.
• Place protectors over unused electrical outlets.
• Never use a heating pad on a small child.

The Burn Center Team is dedicated to preventing burn accidents in the older population. Common high risks for older adults include: hot water, flammable liquids, smoking in bed, house fire, and efforts to stay warm.

Help prevent common-occurring burn injuries:

• Use heating pad on lowest setting only.
• Wear short-sleeved, close fitting clothing while cooking.
• Test the water temperature before bathing or showering.
• Have smoke detectors installed in appropriate locations in the home.
• Have a fire extinguisher in your home and know how to use it.
• Do not smoke in bed.
• Follow safety precautions when dealing with flammable substances, electricity or chemicals.
• Do not burn trash or leaves. If you must burn trash or leaves, DO NOT USE flammable liquids or fire starters.
• Keep pan handles turned to center of stove.
• Always follow the directions for operating heat sources.
• Determine a home fire escape plan, and practice it with everyone who lives in the house.