Avoid Burns: Safety Tips & Injury Prevention

Did you know that hot liquids burn like fire? Even small spills from pre-packaged items, like microwavable soups and ready-to-eat meals, can cause scalding burns. While anyone can sustain a scald burn, infants, young children, older adults and people with disabilities are more susceptible to these burns. Here are some tips you can put in place to stay safe.

Burn Safety

• Install anti-scald devices on tub faucets and shower heads.
• Set water heater thermostats to a temperature no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit or 48 degrees Celsius.
• Test the water before giving your baby a bath. You can use your wrist or elbow to do this. Water should feel warm, not hot.
• Put hot liquids and food in the center of a table or toward the back of a counter. This can help prevent accidental spills or touching.
• Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared. When cooking near young kids, use the back burners. Open the microwave slowly and away from the face.
• Never hold a child while cooking, drinking a hot liquid, or carrying hot foods or liquids.
• Never heat a baby bottle in the microwave. Heat baby bottles in warm water from the faucet.
• Choose prepackaged soups whose containers have a wide base. To avoid the possibility of a spill, pour the soup into a bowl after heating.

Emergency Care for a Burn

• Immediately move the burned person away from the source.
• Remove all affected clothing, diapers, shoes, etc.
• Cool scalded area briefly with cool water.
• Cover the burn with a clean, dry covering.
• Do not apply creams, salves or ointments.
• If needed, call for medical help or go to your local emergency department.

For more information on Bronson Trauma Service’s Injury Prevention Programs visit bronsonhealth.com/emergency/education or email trauma@bronsonhg.org.