Children

Children are curious and like to explore their surroundings. They don't understand that hot water and hot drinks burn like fire. A scald can inflict a serious injury and cause extreme suffering, which can result in scarring for life and the need for skin grafts.


Young children most at risk
Young children are most at risk of injury from burns and scalds. Burns and scalds are a major cause of serious injury in children aged 0 to 14 years. Children aged 0 to 4 years are at greatest risk.

Turn your bathroom hot water down to 50°C
Most hot tap water scalds happen in the bathroom. To reduce the risk of injury to your children from hot water scalds, install a recommended device to control bathroom hot water to a maximum of 50°C.

When hot water is too hot
The average temperature of domestic hot water is 70ºC. The ideal temperature for domestic hot water is 50ºC or lower. This is because:

• At 60ºC it takes one second for hot water to cause third degree burns.
• At 55ºC it takes 10 seconds.
• At 50ºC it takes five minutes for hot water to cause third degree burns.

Don't leave children alone
Never leave children alone in the bathroom or kitchen. Remove your child from the bathroom if you have to answer the door or telephone.

Keep the bathroom door closed when not in use, and put a lock or bolt on the outside of the bathroom door, out of reach of children but accessible to adults.


What to do if someone is burned - first aid advice

Immediate first aid will reduce the severity of a burn.  If someone is burned, you should:

• Before you treat the casualty make sure there’s no danger to yourself i.e. from scalding water, live electrics etc.
• Lie the casualty down.
• If possible prevent the affected area from touching the ground.
• Immediately cover the burnt area in cool water for 10 minutes or for as long as the pain continues, to reduce the heat in the skin and prevent deeper burning.
• Call for an ambulance if the burn is severe.
• Continue cooling the affected area to relieve pain.
• Carefully remove burnt/wet clothing unless it is sticking to the burn.
• Remove any jewellery - it may hinder circulation.
• Cover the injured area with a sterile dressing or clean cloth.
• Keep the casualty warm - place a blanket around them to minimise shock.
• Get medical advice if the scald is on the face, hands or is larger than your palm.
• Always seek medical advice for an infant.

What  NOT to do if someone is burned

• Never use butter, oils or ointments to cover the burn, as they may retain the heat.
• Never apply ice directly onto the skin.