Childen's Hospital Boston 300 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 355-6000
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My Child Has:
Burns: Prevention
Programs that treat this condition
Medical/Surgical Intensive Care Unit   Injury Prevention Program  
Related Links:
Fire Safety
Burns are among the most painful and devastating injuries to a person. Severe burns can require long periods of treatment, including rehabilitation, skin grafts, and physical therapy. Scald burns are the most common types of burns among young children, while older children tend to sustain flame burns. However, children can also get burned through electricity and chemicals.

The skin of young children is thinner than adults, which means it burns deeper and at a lower temperature. Consider the following: it takes three seconds of exposure to hot tap water at 140º F to sustain a third-degree burn in a young child, according to data from the National SAFE KIDS Campaign. Third-degree burns require hospitalization and skin grafts.

During the last 20 years, fatalities and injuries from burns and fires have decreased significantly. This decrease can be attributed to heightened public awareness of fire prevention, as well as safer manufacturing of many consumer products.

For more information on fire safety, click here

Tips for preventing burn injuries
Cooking
  • Whenever cooking, put your toddler in a safe area, such a high chair or play pen.
  • When working with a hot liquid, especially with hot oil or a deep fryer, keep your child safely away from the source.
  • If you use a microwave to heat your child's food, test the temperature before giving it to your child.
  • Never hold you child while cooking or removing items from the stove or microwave.
  • Heating formula or milk in a microwave can be dangerous, as the liquid does not heat uniformly. Some portions may be hotter than others. Use a bottle warmer as a safer means to warm infant formula and milk.
  • Before using barbecues or grills, clean them of grease buildup and use lighter fluid sparingly.
  • Use the back burners on stove as much as possible, away from the reach of children. Turn pot handles away from the edge of the stove.
  • Open microwaved containers away from you and your child, as the steam can scald the skin.
Appliances
  • Periodically, check electrical plugs and cords for dirt or fraying.
  • Keep appliances unplugged when not in use.
  • Do not overload electrical outlets.
  • Keep irons, curling irons, and other heat appliances and their cords out of a child's reach.
  • Keep children away from kerosene lamps, supplemental heaters, and outdoor grills when in use.
Fire safety
  • Teach your child what to do in case of a house fire. Practice your exit strategy and teach them how to put out a fire.
  • Teach your child to stay away from lighters and matches. Keep these items out of a child's reach.
  • Train your children to identify exits in public places, theatres, concert halls, and hotels.
  • Check smoke detector batteries and clean your smoke detector often.
  • Smoke detector batteries should be changed twice a year. Choose two dates that are easy to remember such as when you change your clocks, or on a summer or winter holiday.
  • When traveling, know hotel and motel exits in case of a fire.
  • Before using a chimney or fireplace during the winter months, have them cleaned.
  • Always discard smoking materials in a deep or wet receptacle.
  • During a power outage, use flashlights instead of candles.
  • During Halloween, assure that your child is wearing a flame-retardant costume.
  • Use the following tips for Christmas tree safety:
    • Check tree lights and decorations.
    • Keep trees well-watered.
    • Unplug all lights when leaving home for any length of time.
    • Do not block an exit with Christmas decorations.
Additional tips
  • If you have a toddler or small child at home, avoid using a tablecloth. The child may pull on the corner of the tablecloth, causing potentially hot objects to fall on him or her.
  • Before placing a child or infant in a bathtub, check the water temperature with your hand.
  • Turn down your water heater to 120º F.
  • Check alternative heating devices for safe operation (electric space heaters or kerosene heaters).
  • Make sure your child uses a sunblock whenever he/she is in the sun.
  • Supervise children near fireworks.
  • Encourage children to wear shoes in the summer and avoid walking on hot asphalt or hot sand.
  • Store harmful chemicals and cleaners in an area that children will not be able to access them.
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which can only be given to you by your personal health care professional.
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