It is National Burn Prevention Week, and scalds are the focus of 2012. A scald is a burn caused by steam or hot liquid. Regardless of the special week or focus, parents need to stay aware and prevent burns through simple changes in behavior and the home environment itself.
As a brand new mom nearly two decades ago, I was not aware, and did not create the safest environment for my little one. While I knew enough to turn the pot handles into the stove, I did not think to reset my water heater thermostat. In fact I did not know it was possible. My son did not receive any lasting burn scars, but there were too many close calls.
Set water heater temperature to prevent scalds
Set the home water heater thermostat to no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit, 48 degrees Celsius. The best way to do this is to test the water with a candy, meat, or water thermometer. Let the hot water run for three to five minutes before testing. If it is too hot, adjust and then retest the next day. Continue adjusting until it is correct, the time spent will be well worth the trouble.
Anti-scald or tempering devices can also be installed to protect children’s sensitive skin.
Thoroughly test bath water before plopping your child in the tub. Stirring the water with your hand can help find any hot spots. It is also a smart idea to run the cold water first and then mix in hot water.
Burn Prevention in the Kitchen
There are far too many ways for a child to burn themselves in the kitchen. When my son was cruising around in a walker, yes one of those old fashioned numbers that let a child race around on wheels before they can hardly crawl, he ran right into an open stove. Fortunately, I was able to move him out of the way before his hands touched the hot surface, but it was certainly a wake-up call.
Establish an out of bounds- kid free zone in your kitchen. Keep young children in high chairs a safe distance from stove tops and cooking utensils. Use non-slip place mats instead of tablecloths and make sure cords are not dangling where little fingers can grab.
It is also a very good idea to put down the hot coffee or tea when carrying your baby around!
What to do in case of a burn or scald
There are a few things that you can do immediately to help reduce the overall harm of a burn.
Move away from danger. Leave the site where the injury occurred, moving out of harms way prevents further injury.
Cool with water. Minor burns and scalds can be treated by immersing the affected area in cool water for approximately 10 minutes. The water should not be ice-cold, nor should you leave a child in cool water for very long.
Take off affected clothing if possible. If it is a severe burn, leave the garment on being sure to cool the area with water to keep the area moist.
What not to do in case of a burn or scald
Knowing what not to do is equally important as knowing what to do in an emergency.
Do not put child in ice or ice cold water. This could cause hypothermia.
Do not apply ointments, creams or dressing to a burn or scald. Some creams can be corrosive to skin and dressing may stick or cause the area to dry out.
Do not burst blisters that form after a burn or scald. Not only will bursting blisters cause more fluid loss, it makes the skin more prone to infection.
Never burst blisters that are caused by burns or scalds – this can provoke further fluid loss than is necessary and then make the skin more prone to infection.
Finally, it is important to seek medical attention for your child after a burn. In the case of a severe burn, call 911. The potential for respiratory problems or other unseen damage is great after a serious burn or scalding injury.
More by Sylvie Branch:
New rules for a healthy mom
Sign language for hearing children
Exterminating your child’s fear of bugs