Burn injuries are a leading cause of injury and death in the United States. Because it is National Burn Awareness Week, February 5-11, 2017, the American Burn Association (ABA) has compiled some safety tips to reduce the risk of injury.
Who is Most at Risk?
Children, young adults, the elderly, and the disabled are at elevated risk of suffering burn injuries. About one-third of all burn injuries affect children under the age of 15, with pre-school children especially at risk. For children under five, the likelihood of suffering a burn injury is 2.4 times that of the general population.
Scald Injuries
Burns from hot liquids, or scalds, pose a special risk to young children. To reduce the risk of scald injuries for young children.
- Set the water heater temperature to no higher than 120°F/48°C ( just below the medium setting);
- Create a “no kid zone” around stoves, ovens and other hot items in the kitchen;
- Put pots and pans on back burners with handles turned away frm the edge of the stove;
- Keep hot drinks away from the edge of tables and counters;
- Use travel mugs with tight‐fitting lids for all hot drinks;
- Never leave a child unattended in the bathtub;
- If you must leave, take the child(ren) with you ;
- Never allow young children to adjust the water temperature or sit near faucet handles;
- Keep cords for slow‐cookers, deep‐ fryers, coffeemakers to dangle over the counter edge.
Cooking Safety Tips to Prevent Burns
- Use oven mitts, not towels, to handle hot pots and pans;
- Keep the burner on a low to medium when cooking with grease and keep a pan lid in reach;
- Don’t cook while wear clothing with loose or large sleeves;
- Don’t pour water on a grease fire;
- Don’t leave food on the stove unattended;
- Don’t cook when you are tired or have taken medications.
Fire Prevention at Home
- Make sure there is a functioning smoke detector on each level of your home;
- Replace the batteries in your smoke detectors every six months;
- Develop an escape route with two ways out and discuss it with all family members.