Boston Children's Hospital reports that approximately 88,000 children age 14 and younger were treated at hospital emergency rooms for burn-related injuries last year:
• 62,500 were thermal burns (caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, light, radiation or friction).
• 25,500 were scalds (caused by hot liquid or steam).
Learn how to protect your child from serious burns, as well as how to treat less-serious skin injuries.
Types of burns and first aid
First degree: The least-serious of the four degrees, in these burns just the top layer of skin is injured as in a mild sunburn or mild scald. The skin, which can be pink or red, may turn white if touched.
First aid: Run cool water (do not use ice) over the area for about ten minutes.
Second degree: The skin will be blistered, bright red and blotchy. Do not rub the infected areas.
First aid: Again, cool the area with cool water.
Third degree: The skin might be red, white or even black and have a “leathery” touch. There will be little feeling (or no feeling) in the burned area.
First aid: Call 911, then remove any clothing that is not stuck to the burned area (do not force off any clothing). Keep the area cool with a clean, wet cloth until help arrives.
Fourth degree: These burns are very serious. The skin, muscle and bone are damaged.
First aid: Call 911 immediately. If your child is not breathing, begin rescue breathing immediately (see Tip from the Parenting Trenches, below).
Be safe in bathroom, kitchen
• In the bathtub, make sure your child is as far from the faucet and knobs as possible so she won't be tempted to play with them. Use a child-friendly spout cover to prevent scalds.
• Unplug all heated appliances ie: hair dryers, curling and straightening tools; irons; heat lamps, etc. as soon as you are done using them.
• Use a splatter guard to prevent hot liquids from burning your child; turn the pot and pan handles away from the edge of the stove.
• Keep matches and lighters locked up.
• Use safety covers on outlets and repair or replace damaged electrical cords.
• Use safety locks on all cabinets that hold dangerous chemicals, etc.
• Don't put hot drinks and other liquids where your child can reach them.
Tip from the parenting trenches
Even if your baby or toddler is not suffering from a fourth degree burn, it would be wise to have a doctor check out the injury in person. It is also a good idea to take a CPR and first aid class. To learn more about rescue breathing on a child, go to www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/c/child-cpr/
Email doreennagle@hotmail.com.
