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 2001, an estimated 99,400 children ages 14 and younger were treated in hospital emergency rooms for burn-related injuries. Of these injuries, approximately 58,270 were thermal burns, 27,200 were scald burns, 8,940 were chemical burns and 2,600 were electrical burns.

“Children ages 4 and younger, and children with disabilities, are at the greatest risk of burn-related death and injury. These children are especially at risk from scald burns,” says Debra Brown, a registered nurse and trauma services manager for Children’s Medical Center Dallas.

Hot tap water accounts for nearly one-fourth of all serious scald burns. Tap water burns most often occur in the bathroom, 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.

“More than 75 percent of all scald burn injuries among young children can be prevented through behavioral and environmental modifications,” Brown says. Parents can take these steps:

• 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 toward 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.

• Stay calm and speak quietly, explaining what you’re going to do.
• Stop the burning by staying away from the heat source, but 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, non-stick sterile dressing and seek medical care.
• Don’t break the blisters.
• Never put butter or ointments on a blistered burn, and only use ointments and creams that may be prescribed.