Burn Awareness Week Brought to you by CuddleBugs at Bayfront Health Port Charlotte

Scald prevention at home

Most everyone knows the importance of fire safety — especially when it comes to children — but did you know that children are more likely to sustain burn injuries from hot liquids or foods? According to the American Burn Association, most burn injuries happen at home during preparation or serving of hot food or drinks, or from exposure to hot tap water in bathtubs or showers. Among children ages 4 and under hospitalized for burn-related injuries, more than half are treated for scalding.

The good news is that parents can prevent scald injuries from happening by making some simple environmental and behavioral changes at home. Feb. 2-8 is Burn Awareness Week and CuddleBugs at Bayfront Health Port Charlotte would like to share some burn-prevention tips to help keep your family safe.

Facts about scald injuries

Young children are particularly vulnerable to scald injuries because their thinner skin burns more quickly than an adult's. People of all ages can be burned in about 30 seconds by a liquid that’s 130° F; at 155° F, it only takes a second to cause a third-degree burn — coffee, tea and hot chocolate are often served at this temperature or hotter. For children younger than 5, these temperatures can cause a burn in even less time.

In addition, the proportion of a child’s body that’s exposed to a scalding liquid is also greater — that spilled cup of coffee will burn a much larger percent of a small child’s body than if it was spilled on an adult. Children are also more susceptible to scalding because they don’t understand that hot liquids can burn just like fire. As they grow and are able to reach new things each day, it’s important to assure that they’re safe from potential scald dangers.

Bath-time safety

Tap-water scald injuries are common among young children and are often more severe than cooking-related burns, according to the American Burn Association. Scalds typically occur when the child is left unattended in the bathroom, even briefly. Burns can occur in water that's too hot, when another child turns on the hot water, or when a child falls into the tub. To prevent injuries, the health care professionals at Bayfront Health Port Charlotte recommend the following tips:

• The safest temperature for bathing is 100° F. When filling the tub, run cold water first, then hot, and turn off the hot water first when filled — this can prevent scalding if a child falls in while the tub is filling. Check the temperature using your wrist, elbow and back of your hand before placing the child in the tub. The water should be warm, not hot.
• Set your water heater’s thermostat to 120° F or lower. In addition, consider installing anti-scald or tempering devices. These devices offer added protection from dangerously hot tap water.
• Provide constant supervision of young children while they’re bathing. Make sure you have everything you need within arm’s reach before you place the child in the tub so there’s no need to leave him or her unattended.
• Use knob covers on faucets for extra protection. In addition, face the child away from the faucets so he or she will be less likely to fiddle with them.

“Scald injuries can be extremely painful and often require prolonged treatment, and can even result in lifelong scarring," said Dr. Nay Hoche of Comprehensive Women’s Health Care.  “Following safe-bathing tips, providing adequate adult supervision, and creating a safe home environment are the best ways to protect children from scalding-related injuries.”

Safety in the kitchen and during meals

Meal-time and cooking-related injuries are common among young children since they can easily knock over containers of hot food or beverages, pull on tablecloths, or grab pot handles or appliance cords. These burns can be deeper because of higher temperatures or can stick to the skin longer in the case of hot foods. In order to create a safe kitchen and dining environment, you should:

• Establish a safe zone in the kitchen area. Make sure children are at least 3 feet away from cooking hazards and can play safely while being supervised. Consider high chairs or play enclosures to keep them safely contained.
• Inspect countertops for hazards. Are there any cords hanging down or pot handles facing outward that tiny hands can grab easily? Anything that’s hot or has the potential to be pulled down should be placed far out of reach.
• Use nonslip place mats on dining tables. Rather than using a tablecloth that can be pulled easily, nonslip place mats are a better choice. Put hot items in the center of the table, at least 10 inches away from the edge.
• Never hold hot items while carrying a child. A quick or unexpected movement can easily send hot food or liquid spilling onto your child.

Keeping children away from open flames, furnaces, fireworks and other burn hazards is common knowledge, but protecting children from scald injuries is less obvious. Exposure to hot liquids can present a serious danger to children, so it’s important to rid the environment of potential hazards and practice safe behaviors to prevent injuries.

True or false: It's OK to heat a baby bottle in the microwave.

False. According to the National Fire Protection Association, you should never heat a bottle in the microwave. A microwave heats unevenly, creating hot areas that can lead to burns. Instead, warm a bottle in a bowl of warm water or run it under the tap.

About Bayfront Health Port Charlotte                                                         

Bayfront Health Port Charlotte (formerly Peace River Regional Medical Center) is a 254-bed Joint Commission Accredited full service hospital that is more than a provider of medical excellence; it is where people come to be cared for and cared about.  With expert physicians and staff in cardiovascular services, orthopedics and spine, emergency care, and women’s services and through strategic partnerships with All Children’s Specialists-Johns Hopkins Medicine, Florida Advanced Cardiothoracic (FACT) Surgery, and now Bayfront Health, we are united to bring state-of-the-art care to Florida's Gulf communities.  To learn more, visit: www.BayfrontPortCharlotte.com.

About CuddleBugs

CuddleBugs is a free program designed to provide answers to new and expectant moms from the earliest stages of pregnancy through post-delivery – including guidance for newborn care. For more information about CuddleBugs, visit www.CuddleBugsBaby.com.

About Nay Hoche, MD

Dr. Nay Hoche specializes in prenatal care, labor and delivery, post partum, high risk pregnancies and gynecological care.  For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 941-766-0400 for Port Charlotte, and (941) 423-5035 for North Port, or visit www.comprehensive-womenshealthcare.com.

Remember that this information is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor, but rather to increase awareness and help equip patients with information and facilitate conversations with your physician that will benefit your health.