HOT   LIQUIDS  BURN  LIKE  FIRE!

Thousands of scald burns occur annually in the U.S., and the two highest risk populations are
children under the age of 4 and adults over 65.

Did you know?

· Hot liquids can cause life-threatening burn injuries.
· Scalds are the number one cause of burn injury to children under age 4.
· Coffee, tea, soup and hot tap water can be hot enough to cause a serious burn injury.
· Scald and steam burns are often associated with microwave oven use.
· When hot tap water reaches 147" F, it can cause a third degree burn in just 1 second.
· Hot tap water accounts for 17% of all childhood scald hospitalizations.

Scalds in the Kitchen

Keep children out of the "traffic path" and check their location before moving any hot liquids in the kitchen.
Keep pot handles turned toward the back of the stove. Cook on the rear burners when possible.
Test all heated liquid and food before giving it to a child or placing it within their reach.
Remove tablecloths when toddlers are present in the home. They tug and pull on everything within reach.
Hot liquids can easily be pulled down on them.
Never hold a child while drinking a hot liquid.
Use caution when moving heavy pots of hot liquids from the stove.
Avoid using area rugs in the kitchen, especially near the stove. They can cause falls and scalds.

Scalds and Microwave Ovens

Read and follow the directions for the operation of the microwave oven.
Be careful when removing coverings or lids from microwaved foods. Puncture plastic wrap before heating foods in the microwave.
Stir foods to distribute the heat. Many microwaves have a tendency to heat from the inside out toward the edge.
Extreme caution should be exercised when heating baby bottles or baby food. The amount of food/liquid to be
heated, the starting temperature of the food/liquid (refrigerator or room temperature), and the specific microwave
setting you select will influence the final temperature.
Follow microwave guidelines on baby formula, baby food jars, plastic bottles and plastic bottle liners.

Hot Tap Water and Scald Burns

Never leave a young child unattended in the bathroom or tub.
Use extreme caution if bathing small children in the sink. Many sinks have single lever faucets which are easy
for small children to turn on.
Adjust the thermostat settings on your water heater to produce a temperature of 120"F to 125"F or less.
Before placing a child into the bath, test the temperature of the water by moving your hand rapidly through the
water for several seconds. The temperature should not exceed 100"F. A child's delicate skin will burn
more quickly than an adult's skin.
Consider installing "anti-scald" devices on tub faucets and shower heads to prevent accidental scalds.

Continuous and adequate supervision of young children is the single most important factor in preventing
tap water scald burns.

Acknowledgements:
Burn Institute, San Diego, CA
Shriners Burn Institute, Cincinnati, OH

"TOO HOT FOR TOTS THERMOMETERS"

The Illinois Fire Safety Alliance has made the "Too Hot For Tots" bath
thermometer available to hospital maternity units, fire departments or
groups who would like to purchase them for public awareness or burn
prevention programs such as babysitting classes, health fairs, village
Welcome Wagon packets, etc. The Alliance hopes the distribution of
these cards will raise the burn awareness level to help decrease the
number of scald burns that continue to occur in Illinois. We have calcu-
lated our cost to be $1.00 per card. We can make them available to you
at our cost in packages of 50 for a donation of $50. For more informa-
tion, contact the Alliance office at (847) 390-0911 or (800) 634-0911.

 

 

              

Last Updated: June 01, 1999