|
Children under the age of five and older adults have a higher risk of scald injuries than the rest of the population. Adults may not be aware of the danger of hot liquids spilled on a child. Infants and young children are naturally curious, discovering everything in their environment through touch and taste, and they do not have the physical or cognitive ability to move quickly out of harms way. They have sensitive skin and a small amount of hot liquid can cover a large percentage of a child’s body. Older adults are at greater risk also. Skin gets thinner as we age which may result in a deeper burn when exposed to a hot substance. Vision, hearing, and sense of smell diminish. Mobility and balance may decrease. Sense of touch is not as keen as it once was. Stroke, medication, or alcohol impairment may interfere with the ability to react to danger.
What to do for children:
- Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.
- Establish a kid-free zone around the kitchen stove and keep infants and toddlers in safe areas, such as a play yard or an adjoining room where an adult can keep an eye on them so they do not have access to hot liquids.
- Put hot beverages down when holding a baby.
- Place hot beverages toward the center of the table, where young children can’t reach them and where they are less likely to spill on laps.
- Never heat a baby bottle in the microwave.
What to do for older adults:
- Change behaviors through education.
- Turn on the cold water first; then add hot.
- Tie a ribbon around the cold water facet as a reminder to turn it on first.
- Provide lightweight and easy-to handle cooking utensils and remind them to let food cooked in a microwave oven cool before eating.
Some changes that can be made to lessen the danger of scald burns include installing anti-scald devices in faucets and showers and lowering the temperature of hot water heaters to a maximum of 120°F (50°C).
Back to Consumer Tips
|
