Burns and Scalds

“Injuries are Predictable and Preventable”

Children are particularly vulnerable to burns because their skin is thinner than an adult’s skin. A child’s skin burns 4 times more quickly and deeply than an adult’s at the same temperature.

Fact:

More than half of the hospitalizations are caused by scald burns. Scalds are burns from hot water or liquids. Young children under the age of 5 suffer 83% of all scald injuries requiring hospital admission. Safe Kids Canada - How to Check Your Hot Water Temperature.

What Can I Do?

• When running the bath water, run cold water first and then add hot water until the water is warm (not hot). Run a bit more cold water at the end to ensure the water in the faucet is cold.
• Always stay with a child under 5 when he or she is in the tub. A scald can happen in seconds.
• Keep your child away from hot liquids.
• Reduce the hot water temperature in your home, lower hot water tank to 49C.
• When cooking, keep your child safely out of the way.
• Use a cup with a tight fitting lid, like a travel cup.
• Keep cords from your kettle and other appliances out of your child’s reach.

Fact: An estimated 40 children under the age of 14 die from fires and other burns each year. The majority of these deaths (75%) are due to smoke inhalation. Smoke detectors are a proven way to prevent injuries and death from fires.

What Can I Do?

• Choose the correct smoke detector.
• Install smoke detectors correctly.
• Check smoke detectors regularly and replace batteries. Many people do this when they change their clocks in the Spring and Fall.

For more information on smoke detectors and fire prevention, click on the following links:

• Safe Kids Canada - Smoke Detectors
• Safe Canada - Protect Your Child from Flame Burns