Parkland Burn Center staff caution against scald injuries
Burn Awareness Week is Feb. 5-11
It can happen in an instant. A curious toddler wanders into the kitchen, sees a pot on the stove and while on their tippy-toes reaches for the handle. In a matter of seconds a scald injury could occur that may result in lifelong scarring and even death. Staff in Parkland Health’s world-renowned verified Regional Burn Center emphasizes that simple changes in behavior and the home environment can reduce the risk of scald and other burn injuries for both children and adults.
Parkland and the American Burn Association (ABA) are working to get the word out that “Hot Liquids Burn Like Fire” during National Burn Awareness Week, Feb. 5-11.
“Although anyone can sustain a scald burn, certain people are more likely to be scalded,” said Sarah Scoins, MSN, RN, CNS, CCRN, ACCNS-AG, Burn Outreach and Injury Prevention Educator at Parkland. “High risk groups include Infants, young children, older adults and people with disabilities and are more likely to require hospitalization, suffer complications and experience a difficult recovery.”
Annually in the U.S. and Canada, more than 500,000 people receive treatment for burn injuries. The vast majority of scald injuries – 84% – occur in the home and, according to the ABA, could have easily been prevented. In 2022, 723 patients were treated in Parkland’s burn center. Of those, 196 were scald burns (103 adults and 93 children), Scoins said. The number does not include those with scald burns treated as outpatients in Parkland’s burn clinic.
Tap water scalds are often more severe than cooking-related scalds. Parkland recommends the following simple safety tips to decrease the risk to yourself and those you love from tap water scalds as well as general tips for the bath and kitchen:
Bath Safety
- Set your water heater at 120 degrees Fahrenheit or just below the medium setting.
- With a dual control faucet, always turn on the cold water first and turn it off last.
- Run your hand through the bath water to test for hot spots.
- Never leave young children in the bathroom or tub alone.
Kitchen Safety
- Use the back burners on the stove.
- Turn all pot handles toward the back to prevent children from reaching them.
- Always use oven mitts when cooking or handling hot food and liquid.
- Make a 3-foot “no kid zone” around your stove. Use a safety gate for young children or mark with tape for older children.
- Keep coffee, tea and other hot drinks away from the edges of tables and counters.
- Avoid placing hot liquids on tablecloths or placemats that could be pulled by young children.
- Keep the cords from slow cookers and other appliances out of the reach of young children. Do not use extension cords.
- Use a travel mug with a tight fitting lid for hot drinks.
- Do not let children use a microwave unsupervised. Assist with removing and opening containers of microwaved food.
- Be sure your path is clear when carrying or serving hot food or liquids.
Scald Burn First Aid
- Cool the burn with cool water. Do NOT use ice.
- Remove clothing and jewelry from affected area.
- Do not apply ointments, creams or other substances until seen by a medical professional.
- Cover the burn with a clean, dry dressing.
- Seek medical help immediately.
For more information about services available at Parkland, please visit www.parklandhealth.org
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