Children can also suffer burns from the sun, open fires, cookers, irons, hair straighteners, matches, lighters etc.
To help prevent scalds and burns:
- Put hot drinks out of reach of children
- Use the rear hot plates on your cooker and always turn the pan handles towards the rear of the cooker
- Use a cordless kettle or one with a coiled flex
- Never leave your toddler on their own in the kitchen or bathroom
- When running a bath turn the cold water tap on first and always check the temperature first before placing your child in the bath
- Put a fire guard in front of an open fire
- Keep matches, cigarettes and lighters out of reach from children
- Try and do the ironing when your child is asleep.
- Keep hot hair straighteners and curling tongs out of reach of children
If your child gets a burn or scald:
- Cool the burnt skin as quickly as possible by placing it under cold running water
- Remove any tight clothing from the burn before it starts to swell but do not remove clothing or material that is sticking to the burn
- Cover the burn with a sheet of cling film or a clean plastic bag as they will not stick to the burn
- Phone your surgery for advice or take your toddler to an Accident and Emergency Department (A&E).