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Burn & Scald Injury Prevention
The Charleston Fire Department and the MUSC Children’s Hospital offer the following tips to parents and care givers to prevent burn and scald injuries:
- Install smoke alarms in your home and change the batteries at least once a year. Plan and practice escape routes in case of fire. Identify a family meeting place.
- Teach children to Stop, Drop, and Roll if their clothes catch on fire.
- Stop right away.
- Drop to the ground; cover your chest with your hands.
- Roll over and over or back and forth to put out the fire.
- Cool a burn. For minor burns, run cool water immediately over the burn.
- Seek emergency medical help immediately for more serious burns.
- Always use sunscreen on children when outdoors. Do not expose infants and very young children to the sun without protective clothing.
- Do not allow children to play near outdoor fires or burning debris. Establish a three-foot "safe zone" around outdoor burning areas and enforce at all times.
- Children should not have access to flammable liquids or household chemicals; keep these items out of reach or in a locked cabinet.
- Do not allow children to play in cooking areas. Create a three-foot "safe zone" around kitchen appliances.
- Never leave any unattended items on the stove top. Make sure all pot handles are turned to the inside of the stove.
- Children under the age of 14 should not operate a microwave oven without an adult present.
- Keep clothing irons and curling irons out of reach of children.
- Do not set your hot water heater higher than 120°F.
- Never drink or carry hot liquids while carrying or holding a child.
- Keep all hot items away from the sides of a table.