Home Safety
Scald Prevention
A scald is an injury caused by hot liquid or steam and according to Shriners Hospitals for Children, children under age 5 are at highest risk for scald injuries from hot liquids. People of all ages can be burned by liquid at 140 degrees Fahrenheit in as few as thirty seconds. It takes only five seconds for a young child to be injured by 140 degree liquid; and only one second at 160 degrees. Follow this simple advice from the Home Safety Council to help reduce the risk of scald injuries at home:
- Lower water heaters to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Ask the building owner to lower the temperature for you if you rent. If you own your home, you can often adjust your own water heater. Check with the utility company for instructions.
- When bathing children, use a water thermometer to ensure the temperature is safe. Turn the cold water on first, then mix in warmer water and keep the temperature at about 100 Fahrenheit.
- Stay within an arm’s reach of young children any time they are near standing water.
- Use heavy oven mitts and hot pads when cooking. Avoid using a wet towel to hold a hot pan because the heat from the pan can build steam, causing a scald injury.
- Test heated food and bottles before feeding children.
- Microwaved food gets hot very fast. Heated food and steam can cause an injury. Use caution when removing food from the microwave and when taking the covers off of heated plates. Pull covers away from you, not toward you.
- Microwaving heats food from the inside out. Cut open heated foods and test them before feeding children.
- Turn pot handles toward to back of the range. When drinking hot beverages, keep the container away from the edge of tables and counters so children can’t reach them.
- Be aware that toddlers can pull tablecloths down, spilling hot beverages and food onto them. When using tablecloths, center food and beverages in the middle of the table. Don’t place hot beverages on lower tables, where children can easily reach them.
- Avoid drinking hot beverages when you are holding a young child. Using a “commuter mug” with a tight-fitting lid can help reduce a hot spill if the beverage tips over.
Treat a minor burn injury immediately with cool running water for 3-5 minutes. Do not apply ice, which can harm the skin. Do not apply butter or lotions, because this can keep the skin temperature hot, increasing the injury. Apply a sterile bandage to the injured area.
If the scald is serious, seek medical treatment immediately.
