Every day, over 300 children are treated in the ER for burn-related injuries, but how do they occur? While the causes vary, one statistic is very clear—the majority of child burn injuries happen in the home. In this blog, we’ll be going over the three most common types of burn injuries: hot liquid scalds, contact with hot objects and fire and flame injuries—and how you can prevent them from occurring.
Scald Burn Prevention
The majority of scald burns occur in the kitchen. These burns, associated with cooking, typically happen as children reach for an object on the stove and spill hot liquid onto themselves. Prevent scald burns by:
- Creating a safety zone around the stove, sink and microwave
- Carefully placing pots on the stove and hot liquids on tables
- Keeping electrical cords and tablecloths out of reach
- Monitoring high chairs
Contact Burn Prevention
Another leading cause of child burn injuries is contact with hot objects. Typically, children reach for an object, such as a clothing iron or an oven door, without realizing it is hot. Prevent contact burns inside and outside the home by:
- Keeping hot objects in a safe area where children do not have access
- Creating a safety zone around ovens and fireplaces
- Using safety gates and screens
Flame Burn Prevention
Finally, there are flame burns injuries. These usually occur due to outdoor fires, house fires and clothing-related flame injuries. The best way to prevent these types of injuries is by:
- Properly using and maintaining smoke detectors
- Keeping matches, lighters and candles out of reach
- Planning and practicing a fire escape route
- Never leaving an outdoor fire unattended
In addition, there are two other types of dangers to watch for: chemical and electrical burns. Chemical burns can occur from exposure to cleaning products and bleach, so it’s important to keep them locked up. Electrical burns are caused by contact with electrical outlets and uncovered power sources, but these can be easily prevented with adequate proofing.
Contact our Orange County child injury lawyers at Law Office of Marshall Silberberg. Call (949) 565-4281 today.