John J. Coleman, professor of surgery and chief of plastic surgery at IU School of Medicine and medical director of Riley Burn Unit states children come into the hospital quite often for scalds and burns. On average there are 150 to 200 admitted patients a year in addition to a burn clinic every week that has about 2,000 patients a year.
Many believe kids are admitted for burns due to horrific fires or science experiments gone wrong. Quite the contrary; the common cause of kids receiving burns and scalds is lack of supervision.
More kids suffer from scalding due to hot liquid being applied to the skin or emersion in hot water. Only 20 to 30 percent of Coleman’s patients are admitted due to flame or fire.
The kitchen is the main culprit for causing children’s burns and scalds. Coleman cites cases where kids taking hot food out of the microwave and then spilling it on themselves causes injury.
“Soup, noodles, stuff like that. In my opinion young children shouldn’t be in the kitchen when an adult is preparing the meal. They shouldn’t be encouraged to make their own food, particularly hot food because the kitchen’s a dangerous place,” said Coleman.
In addition to parents not completely supervising kids in the kitchen, burn experts state a change in lifestyle has also given rise to kids being burned or scalded in the kitchen. Meals being cooked by one person and a family sitting down together for a meal would help eliminate patients.
The bathroom is also a dangerous place for kids. Many times children will turn on the hot water or one child will be in the tub while another turns the water on not knowing it’s hot.
A kid being burned by smoking paraphernalia is another common cause of admittance to the hospital for burns. While it is more likely a child becomes burnt from playing with a cigarette lighter or getting too close to a fireplace or barbecue grill, parents should still plan in the event of a home fire.
U.S. Fire Administration states families can dramatically increase their chances of surviving a fire simply by installing and maintaining working smoke alarms. Smoke alarms should be on every level of the home and outside of sleeping areas. Test smoke alarms monthly and replace the batteries at least once a year.
To further increase chances of survival during a fire, families should be equipped with a fire escape plan. The U.S. Fire Administration states children as young as three years old can follow a fire escape plan they have practiced often.
Families should draw a basic diagram of the home, marking all windows and doors, and plan two routes of escape out of each room. Consider various fire scenarios when creating a plan and develop actions for a safe escape. Plan for each member of the family, including babies and toddlers who may be unable to escape on their own.
Whether it’s silly mistakes or an unexpected home fire, parents should understand the importance of protecting their children against burns and scalds. Kids should be kept away from the kitchen and also supervised in the bathroom and around open fire.
“I’d like to think that almost every single burn or trauma especially to children are the consequences of neglect or some form of foolishness, stupidity or malice. Almost every case is preventable,” said Coleman.
Coleman states if a child is scalded, to remove the source from the skin. Do not apply cold water. Wash the area with soap and rinse with lukewarm water. Apply a topical agent if necessary. If kids are burned, parents should see a physician.
