While the average burn patient who comes to Dayton Children’s Hospital is around 5 years old, no child is immune to the dangers. Teens can be especially at risk because they are more active in the kitchen, cooking and serving themselves.
“We see a lot of burns from hot chocolate,” says Linda Hollen, FNP-C, burn clinic advanced practice nurse at Dayton Children’s. “Ramen noodles and oatmeal are also trouble foods. Many times children are handling these items in Styrofoam cups and may spill onto their hands or laps, leading to severe burns.”
As part of Burn Awareness Week (Feb. 7–13) this year, the American Burn Association and Dayton Children’s are focusing on scalds — those burns that result from liquid or steam. “Children have a greater risk of getting deeper and more serious burns because they have thinner skin than adults,” says David P. Meagher, MD, medical director for burn care at Dayton Children’s. “Also, because children are smaller, a greater proportion of their total body surface is susceptible to being burned.”
For older children, remind them that liquid and steam can burn like fire. Caution them to take their time getting cooked items out of the microwave or off the stove. Show them how to open heated containers away from them, from front to back. Have them always put hot liquids toward the center of a table or other solid surface, never on the edge or balanced on their lap.
Parents can help by closely watching their younger children around hot liquids. “Carry cups of hot water or liquid for children and have them sit at a table to drink or eat,” says Hollen. “Don’t allow them underfoot while you are working with boiling liquids in the kitchen.” You should also use the back burners on the stove and turn pot handles in so children can’t pull them down.
Parents have to be cautious, too. When on the go, always use a travel mug with a tight-fitting lid for any hot drinks or soups you may be taking with you. Never try to hold or carry your child while you have a hot drink in your hand. That’s a juggling act that may end painfully for you and your child.
Other areas that are burn hazards for children include:
• Heaters
• Fireplaces
• Bath water
• Hair irons
• Treadmills.
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