Thousands of children suffer burn-related injuries each year. Children ages 4 and under are at the greatest risk with an injury rate more than four times that of children ages 5 to 14. Burns have long been recognized as among the most painful and devastating injuries a person can sustain and survive. Burns often require long periods of rehabilitation, multiple skin grafts, and painful physical therapy, leaving victims with lifelong physical and psychological trauma.

Scald burn injury (caused by hot liquids or steam) is the most common type of burn-related injury among young children while flame burns (caused by direct contact with fire) are more prevalent among older children. All children also are at risk for contact, electrical and chemical burns.Because young children have thinner skin than that of older children and adults, their skin burns at lower temperatures and more deeply. A child exposed to hot tap water at 140 degrees F for three seconds will sustain a third degree burn, an injury requiring hospitalization and skin grafts. Children, especially ages 4 and under, may not perceive danger, have less control of their environment, may lack the ability to escape a life-threatening burn situation, and may not be able to tolerate the physical stress of a post-burn injury.

PREVENTION TIPS

• Never leave a child alone, especially in the bathroom or kitchen. If you must leave the room, take the child with you.

• Install smoke alarms in your home on every level and in every sleeping area. Test them once a month, replace the batteries at least once a year (unless the batteries are designed for longer life), and replace the alarms every ten years. Ten-year lithium alarms also are available and do not require an annual battery change.

• Set your water heater thermostat to 120 degrees F or below. The lower the temperature, the lower the risk of sustaining scald burn-related injuries. Consider installing water faucets and shower heads containing anti-scald technology.

• Keep matches, gasoline, lighters and all other flammable materials locked away and out of reach of children.

• Use back burners and turn pot handles to the back of the stove when cooking. Keep appliance cords out of children's reach, especially if the appliances contain hot foods or liquids. Cover unused electrical outlets with safety devices.

• Keep hot foods and liquids away from table and counter edges. Never carry or hold children and hot foods and/or liquids at the same time.

• Never allow children to handle fireworks.