While thousands of scald burns occur annually, increased awareness of the dangers can prevent injuries.
Following a few simple precautions will help keep you and your little chef safe from potential burns:
Cool a burn under cold running water for 10-15 minutes and call 10111 for serious burns.
Always supervise children in the kitchen and dining areas.
Create a “No Child Zone” while preparing and serving hot foods and beverages.
Don’t carry or hold a child while cooking on the stove. Instead, place the child into a high chair or another safe area while cooking.
Children love to reach, so to prevent hot food or liquid spills, simply use the back burner of your stove and turn pot handles away from its edge; also, keep hot foods away from the edge of your counters.
Keep clothing from coming in contact with flames or heating elements.
A small adjustment to your water heater can give you one less thing to worry about. To prevent accidental scalding, set your water heater to 48 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit) or the manufacturer’s recommended setting.
Make a habit of placing matches, gasoline, and lighters in a safe place out of children’s reach and avoid novelty lighters as they may look like toys in a child’s eyes.
When filling the bathtub turn on cold water first then mix in warmer water carefully.
