It can happen in an instant. A curious toddler wanders into the kitchen, sees a pot on the stove and while on their tippy-toes reaches for the handle. In a matter of seconds a scald injury could occur that may result in lifelong scarring and even death. Staff in Parkland Health & Hospital System’s world-renowned Regional Burn Center emphasizes that simple changes in behavior and the home environment can reduce the risk of scald and other burn injuries for both children and adults.
In conjunction with Burn Awareness Week, Feb. 1-7, Parkland is partnering with the American Burn Association (ABA) to provide information on ways to prevent scald and other burn injuries. Burn Center staff will host a Burn Prevention and Safety Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 3 in the private dining room located in the first floor cafeteria at Parkland Memorial Hospital, 5200 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, 75235. The event will include burn prevention education including cooking, gasoline and home oxygen safety; Dallas Fire-Rescue Department’s “hazard house” for hands-on fire prevention demonstrations regarding smoke alarms, escape planning and carbon monoxide detectors, a fire truck “show and tell” and an appearance by Sparky the Fire Dog.
“Although anyone can sustain a scald burn, certain people are more likely to be scalded,” said Stephanie Campbell, RN, Parkland’s Burn Program Manager. “Infants, young children, older adults and people with disabilities are in the high risk groups who are also more likely to require hospitalization, suffer complications and experience a difficult recovery.”
Annually in the U.S. and Canada, more than 500,000 people receive treatment for burn injuries. The vast majority of scald injuries – 84 percent – occur in the home and, according to the ABA, could have easily been prevented. Of the 800 admissions Parkland averages in its burn center each year, approximately one-third or 32 percent are due to scald injuries, the majority in children ages 5 and younger.
Tap water scalds are often more severe than cooking-related scalds. Parkland recommends the following simple safety tips to decrease the risk to yourself and those you love from tap water scalds as well as general tips for the bath and kitchen:
Bath Safety
- Set your water heater at 120 degrees F or just below the medium setting.
- With a dual control faucet, always turn on the cold water first and turn it off last.
- Run your hand through the bath water to test for hot spots.
- Never leave young children in the bathroom or tub alone.
Kitchen Safety
- Use the back burners on the stove.
- Turn all pot handles toward the back to prevent children from reaching them.
- Always use oven mitts when cooking or handling hot food and liquid.
- Make a 3-foot “no kid zone” around your stove. Use a safety gate for young children or mark with tape for older children.
- Keep coffee, tea and other hot drinks away from the edges of tables and counters. Also avoid placing hot liquids on tablecloths or placemats that could be pulled by young children.
- Keep the cords from slow cookers and other appliances out of the reach of young children. Do not use extension cords.
- Use a travel mug with a tight fitting lid for hot drinks.
- Never carry or hold a child while drinking hot liquids.
- Never carry or hold a child while preparing or serving hot food.
- Do not let children use a microwave unsupervised. Assist with removing and opening containers of microwaved food.
- Be sure your path is clear when carrying or serving hot food or liquids.
Scald Burn First Aid
- Cool the burn with cool water. Do NOT use ice.
- Remove clothing and jewelry from affected area.
- Do not apply ointments, creams or other substances until seen by a medical professional.
- Cover the burn with a clean, dry dressing.
- Seek medical help immediately.
Established in 1962, the Parkland Regional Burn Center is the second largest civilian burn center in the nation, providing care to more than 2,200 patients annually. Serving North Texas and surrounding areas, this comprehensive burn center is one of only 62 verified burn centers in North America and the only verified burn center in Dallas. Burn Center staff provides all services from emergency treatment to intensive care to rehabilitation and outpatient follow-up care.
