Burns
Burns and scalds are the most common source of injury to children with scalds (burns caused by hot liquids or steam) being particularly widespread. As with all safety measures prevention is better than cure. Kitchens, dining areas and bathrooms are all areas in a home where children are likely to be scalded or burnt. Unfortunately severe burns and scalds, even if not life threatening, can mean children need extended treatment and can also be left with scars that remain for a lifetime. Again there are simple procedures mostly related to anticipatory supervision that can prevent this.Safe cooking practices are important:
- Never leave hot food unattended on the counter top or the cook top.
- Turn saucepan handles away from the front of the stove.
- Saucepans and other containers that need to be left to cool down should be placed in an area where children cannot touch them or pull them down.
- Children need to be out of the kitchen when parents or carers are cooking. A play area can be established where children can be watched but where they are not in danger.
- The use of safety gates should be considered as the first option. These barriers can be erected quickly to fit the space required. They are usually made of wood or plastic. The safety doors allow an area to block off and the child is not able to move beyond them. These safety doors should be also used to keep children out of rooms, from falling down stairs and other areas that a child should not have access to or parents do not want them to enter.
- If the area is too large for a safety door, one program that appears to be effective is the use of magic doors to kitchens. These magic doors are make-believe barriers to a kitchen like a force-field. Children may not enter past the force-field unless the parent has turned it off. Games like this help children understand limits and allow adults to focus on cooking while still keeping everyone safe. It also avoids panicky situations in which parents’ attention is diverted which are of course when accidents are more likely to happen.
Tea and Coffee:
- Children can easily be scalded by pulling a hot cup of tea or coffee off the table.
- Anticipatory supervision reminds adults to place the cup where children can’t reach it.
- If a child approaches a container of hot liquid which has been left in a dangerous position they can then be redirected.
Hot water taps:
- Hot water taps can be hazardous and children can be scalded by the hot water that flows.
- Many new houses now have the capability of regulating the water temperature in the house.
- Minimally, always check the water temperature by placing the most sensitive part of your skin, generally the inside of the wrist, on top of the water. Elbows are also a very sensitive area for temperature.
- Remember the skin on an adult’s hand is not as sensitive as children’s skin.
