Keeping your little one safe from burns and scalds this winter

Winter is here, and the cold weather has definitely set in! It’s the season where a lot of us look towards hot drinks, hot food, a nice warm bath, or cosying up by an open fire to help keep warm and dry. While all of these bring a sense of comfort, they can also pose a risk of burns and scalds, particularly to those who are most vulnerable - children.

Common causes of burns and scalds

The home is the most common location for childhood burn injuries, with the majority occurring in the kitchen - particularly when a child is near someone cooking.

Common burn and scald hazards for children include hot drinks and food, hot water, household heaters and fires, and appliances such as irons and hair straighteners.

It may be surprising, however, items such as treadmills and vehicle exhausts are also common causes of burn and scald injuries.

Prevention and treatment

There are some practical things we can all do to reduce the risk of burns and scalds, including keeping hot food, drinks and appliances out of children’s reach and restricting their access to the kitchen when meals are being prepared.

Kidsafe have developed a free Burns Safety Checklist with practical tips to help you identify and reduce the risks posed by a range of common household burn and scald hazards.

If a burn does occur, it is important to remember to:

• Remove - remove yourself from danger. Remove any clothing and jewelry from the burn area unless well stuck to the skin

• Cool - place the burn under cool running water for twenty minutes. Never use items like ice, oil or butter on a burn as these can make it worse

• Cover the burn with a clean dressing

• Seek medical attention if the burn or scald is on the face, hands, feet, genitals or buttocks, is larger than a 20-cent coin or blistered

For more information about the prevention and correct first aid treatment of minor burns and scalds, please visit Kidsafe National Burns Awareness Month.

Article supplied by Kidsafe.