- Burns and scalds
- What can we do?
- Real life stories
- Links
- Did you know..
Burns are the only injury that affects girls more in any age group of children.
Burns and scalds - What can we do?
To keep young children safe, there are some simple safety precautions which can be taken.
- Keep hot drinks well out of the way of young children
- Never leave irons and hair straighteners where children can get at them when hot or cooling
- Run cold water into the bath first and always check the temperature with your elbow for children.
- Do not let children play with the hot taps in baths and install thermostatic mixing valves where possible.
- Do not leave toddlers unsupervised in the bath, or leave children to supervise younger children.
- Keep saucepans at the back of the stove with handles turned towards the back wall.
- Keep electric kettles, irons and their wires out of reach
- Keep matches, lighters and chemicals out of reach.
- Install a smoke alarm on each floor of the home, test them regularly and practise an emergency escape plan.
- For real, electric or gas fires, install a fireguard, fixed to the wall on both sides.
- Only use candles if young children are fully supervised.
- Fireworks are best enjoyed at a safe public display or private event when responsible adults know what they are doing and fully understand their responsibilities.
If you do experience a burn or scald, it is important to submerge the area in cool water for at least 10 minutes, as the skin can continue to burn for this length of time, even after you have removed the source of heat. Do not remove anything which is stuck to the skin, but cover it loosely with a non-fluffy material such as cling film to stop the area getting infected. Seek medical help immediately.
For further information about what help and resources are available, visit our Burns and Scalds Links section.
