Top causes of burns in kids and how to prevent them
From toddlers exploring through their sense of touch to teens taking on new independence, kids face burn risks every day.
“The causes of burns in kids tend to vary by age. Little ones 3 and under are most often burned by hot liquids and older children by flames. We’ve also seen increases in burns related to house fires and cooking injuries at home,” said Dr. Michael Feldman, medical director of the Evans-Haynes Burn Center at VCU Health, which treats more than 600 pediatric and adult burn patients each year.
According to Safe Kids Worldwide, 300 children are treated in emergency departments for burn-related injuries each day. Accidents happen, but there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of burn injuries for kids of all ages.
The team at our Evans-Haynes Burn Center encourages families to scan the home for these potential burn hazards
Take burn precautions in kitchen
- Keep hot foods and hot liquids away from the edge of the counter so they won’t get spilled.
- Cook using the back burners and turn handles inward so they can’t be bumped or grabbed.
- Don’t hold a baby or toddler while cooking.
- Designate a three-foot safe space around the stove and oven that small children shouldn’t enter. If they’re too young to understand, place them in a highchair or other spot where you can see them while you are cooking.
- Be careful when taking food out of the microwave, especially if it’s overhead. Spills from hot soups and beverages are common causes of burns requiring a trip to the hospital. Do not allow children to remove hot food on their own.
- Slowly open containers after microwaving to prevent burns to the fingers or face.
- Supervise older kids as they begin cooking and teach them about burn safety.
Mitigate burn risks in other areas of the home
- Set your water heater to 116°F to reduce the risk of burns in the bath/shower or when washing hands. Test bath water with the inside of your wrist before allowing little ones to get in the tub.
- Keep kids away from fireplaces. Even gas fireplaces can be dangerous because the glass gets extremely hot and can take more than an hour to cool down after the fireplace has been turned off.
- Don’t leave candles burning unattended.
Be cognizant of burn dangers outside too
- Use caution around fire pits long after the fire is extinguished. Coals and ash stay hot and very dangerous for many hours. We’ve seen several kids in our emergency room with serious burns that occurred even the next day.
- Implement the three-foot safe space for outdoor cooking too. Make this area around grills, smokers, etc. a kid-free zone.
- Avoid the use of accelerants on open flames.
Talk with kids about fire safety
- Stress the danger of fire with your children.
- Explain that lighters and matches aren’t toys. Set a good example by using them safely and only when needed. Store them out of reach of young children.
- Teach your children to avoid all accelerants and that even the fumes can be dangerous.
Be prepared in case of a fire in the home
- Make sure you have working smoke detectors on each level of your home and in all sleeping areas. Replace the batteries and test the alarms routinely.
- Teach your children about the fire alarm and how to react when they hear it.
- Have an escape plan in place, including a specific meeting spot outside, and review it regularly as a family.
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