Having little helpers in the kitchen is a great way to spendtime with young children, but parents should take precautionsto minimize burn and scald risks.
While many parents are aware that children can be burned byhot tap water, they should become familiar with other potentialrisks, including reaching into the microwave and spilling hotliquids, and pulling pots off the stove when trying to helpstir.
Approximately 11,325 children are treated annuallyin emergency departments for scalds. In most cases, childrenare burned when trying to be self-sufficient or helpful, accordingto a study from the University of Chicago. The study revealedthat children younger than 5 years old with scald burns accountedfor 22% of admissions to a Chicago burn center over a three-yearperiod. Hot cooking or drinking liquids (e.g., soup, tea orhot chocolate, water used for cooking hot dogs and steam) caused90% of incidents, and only 10% were a result of contact withtoo-hot tap water.
Following are recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics(AAP) for preventing scalds:
Remember that steam is hotter than boiling water. Be carefulwith children, even at a distance, around bathtubs or pots andpans with boiling water.
Set household water heaters to nohigher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Use cool-mist vaporizers.Hot-water vaporizers can cause steamburns or can spill on children.
Never leave spoons or other utensils in pots while cooking.
Tuck in the ends of tablecloths. Many scalds occur when childrentug on, catch or trip on loose tablecloth ends.
Test foodor liquids from the microwave before giving to children.
If your child suffers a scald or burn, soak the injured areain cool water. Do not ice the area or use remedies such as butteror grease, according to the AAP. For more serious burns thatinclude redness, oozing or pain that lasts longer than a fewhours, contact your pediatrician right away.
