EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN FROM BURNS AND SCALDS
Adults and children alike can't resist the smell of cookies baking in the oven or delicious sauces simmering on the stove. Here are a few simple steps to protect your little chef from possible burns in the kitchen, around the fireplace or anywhere else in your home.
Childproof Your Electrical Outlets and Appliances
- Keep appliance cords out of the reach of children, especially if the appliances generate a lot of heat.
- Cover electrical sockets so that children cannot insert metal objects such as forks or spanners.
- Be careful with appliances such as irons, curling irons or hair dryers that heat up quickly or remain hot after use. Unplug these appliances when you are finished.
- Do not carry or hold a child while cooking on the hob. Instead, put a highchair in the kitchen where you can reach or see it before you start. Talk to your children afterwards so they know what is going on. This is a great way to spend time together.
Check to Make Sure the Water Temperature is Right
- With everything going on, we know that the kettle is the last thing on your mind. With a little adjustment you can at least have one less thing to worry about. To avoid accidental scalding, set your water heater (if it has such a setting) to 50 degrees Celsius or the manufacturer's recommended level.
- Consider installing anti-scald devices on water taps and shower heads to prevent possible burns.
- Check the water with your wrist or elbow before bathing your baby.
Use the hotplates on the back and oven mitts
- Children like to lie down, so use the back burners of your hob and turn pot handles away from the edge to avoid hot food or liquid spills. Keep hot food away from the edge of your counters.
- Use oven mitts or potholders and keep hot food and liquids away from table and counter edges. Be careful if your oven mitt is hot; moisture combined with heat can cause scalding.
- Open containers in your microwave oven slowly, as steam can burn small fingers and faces.
Involve Older Children in Cooking
- Teach responsible older children how to cook safely. It will make your life easier if your children can cook their own meals (and maybe yours too). Teach them that they should never leave the kitchen when using the hob or oven. Remember that the number one cause of house fires is unattended cooking.
- Don't let children use the microwave on their own until it is both tall enough for them to reach safely and they understand that the steam can cause burns.
- Instruct older children to use oven mitts or potholders to remove items from the oven or hob and teach them how to use the microwave safely.
Beware of the Microwave Oven
- Microwaves can heat unevenly and create hot spots, so avoid using them to heat baby food or baby milk.
- Warm bottles by placing them in warm water and make sure they have cooled to the appropriate temperature before feeding your baby.
Install Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Fire and burns occur together. Prevent both by installing smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.
Keep Flammable Materials Away from Space Heaters
- Remember to keep space heaters at least three metres away from anything that can burn.
- Be sure to switch them off when you leave the room.
Install Barriers such as Safety Gates around Fireplaces, Ovens and Cookers
- Make sure that your fireplace is protected by a sturdy screen. Remember that the glass cover can take a long time to cool down.
- If you use a fireplace or wood stove, only use seasoned hardwoods such as oak, ash or maple.
- If small children live in your home or visit your home, use a safety gate around your fireplace or wood stove.
Extinguish Candles and Keep Matches Out of Reach
- Keep candles at least 30 cm away from anything that can burn and always blow them out when leaving the room or before going to sleep.
- Make a habit of putting matches, petrol and lighters in a safe place out of the reach of children. Avoid new lighters or lighters that look like toys.
- Teach children never to play with matches, lighters or fireworks. Depending on your child's age and maturity level, it may be reasonable for them to use these items under the supervision of an adult. Make sure that a fire extinguisher and a telephone are nearby in case of an emergency.
- Unplug and safely store irons, ironing boards and other appliances that may be hot to the touch.
This article is edited from the English original on Burnshield.com. For the original article click/touch [Burn and Scald Prevention Tips].
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