2/4/2012

National Burn Awareness Week

Did you know:
• Each year, approximately 481 children ages 0-14 die due to unintentional fire or burn related injury.
• In 2009, 335 children ages 14 and under died due to fire or burn-related injuries.
• Scald injuries are most prevalent in children under 5 while fire/flame injuries are most prevalent for all other age groups.
• For young children, scalds are the leading cause of burn-related emergency visits and hospitalizations.
• A recent study found that of the non-tap water scalds, 90.4% were related to hot cooking or drinking liquids.
• Children have thinner skin and therefore get severe burns at lower temperatures and in less time than an adult.
What can you do?
Keep children at least 3 feet from hot appliances, pots, pans, food or liquids.
Avoid using tablecloths or anything a child can pull on and cause hot food to spill.
When cooking, use back burners and keep pot handles turned towards the back of the stove.
When children are in or near the bath, watch them closely, and check the water temperature frequently.