Key Points
- Keep hot liquids and foods out of reach of children. For example, boiling water and soups.
- The safe bath temperature for children should be between 37°C and 38°C.
- The most common type of burn in children is scalds. Children under the age of two are the most vulnerable.
Scalds: what you need to know
Children are inquisitive and like discovering new things. They are unaware that hot fluids cause burns. The tender skin of a child burns far more easily than the skin of an adult. Scalds are the most common cause of serious injury in children aged one to fourteen.
Children under the age of two are most at risk from hot liquids in kettles, teapots, and saucepans. They’re more likely to need hospitalization and suffer complications.
Scalds are most commonly caused by hot liquids. A freshly poured hot fluid can burn a child instantly. At home, the prevalent causes of scalds are hot meals, boiling water as well as hot water in sinks, and showers.
Preventing Scalds in the Bathroom
The best strategy to avoid scalding in the bathroom is to have hot water delivered at a maximum of 50°C to the bathroom sink, bath, and shower taps.
It’s vital to keep in mind that 50°C is not a suitable temperature for bathing. To get the right bath temperature for newborns and children, you still need to mix cold water with hot water from your faucets.
Here are some tips for reducing the risk of scalding in your bathroom:
- Always run with cold water first. To cool the spout, turn off the cold water last.
- Before putting a child in a bath, always test the water.
- Never leave a little child under the supervision of an older child in the bathroom.
- Never leave your child in the bathroom unattended.
- Keep infants within arm’s reach when they’re in the bath.
Preventing scalds in kitchen and dining areas
These precautions will keep your child safe from scalding in the kitchen and dining room.
- When your child is in the kitchen, always keep an eye on them.
- Never leave the kitchen unattended If you’re using pots, pans, or kettles.
- Make use of the back burners on the stove. Turn pan handles backward on the stove. Install a stove guard.
- To limit the risk of spillage, eat and drink hot food and beverages at the table.
