Do not remove pieces of clothing stuck to the burn.
	Cool the burn with large amounts of cool water, not with ice or icy water. For hands or feet, immerse the body part or apply soaked towels. Cooling should continue until the burning sensation stops.
	Cover the burn with a dry, sterile dressing and seek medical care.
	Don’t break the blisters.
	Never put butter or ointments on a blistered burn.

It can happen in an instant: Your child grabs the handle of a pot jutting from the stove, and suddenly you’re dealing with a serious burn.

Burns have long been recognized as extremely painful and devastating injuries. Burns often require extensive rehabilitation, skin grafts, painful physical therapy and can leave children with lifelong physical and psychological scars.

In 1998, hospital emergency rooms treated about 88,000 children age 14 and under for burn-related injuries. “Children age 4 and under, and children with disabilities are at the greatest risk of burn-related death and injury. These children are especially at risk for scald burns,” says Patti Rhynders, injury prevention program manager for Children’s Medical Center of Dallas.

Hot tap water accounts for nearly one-fourth of all serious scald burns. Tap-water burns most often occur in the bathroom, and tend to be severe and cover a large portion of the body. A child exposed to hot tap water at 140 degrees for three seconds will sustain a burn requiring hospitalization and skin grafts.

The vast majority (95 percent) of microwave burns among children are scald burns. Microwave burns are typically caused by spilling hot liquids or food, and injuries are most often on the torso or the face.

• Set water heater thermostats to 120 degrees or below, and install anti-scald devices in water faucets and shower heads.
• Use back burners and turn pot handles to the back of the stove when cooking.
• Never leave a child alone in the bathroom or kitchen. If you must leave the room, take the child with you.