child in bath reaching for the faucet

Pediatric Scalds: A Burning Issue

DO DON’T
Set water heater temperature to no higher than 120°F/48°C, or just below the medium setting.Leave a child unattended in the bathtub; if you must leave, take the child(ren) with you.
Create a “no kid zone” in the kitchen around stoves, ovens, and hot items.Allow young children to adjust the water temperature or sit near faucet handles.
Keep hot drinks away from the edge of tables and counters.Set anything hot on tabletops within reach of young children who can pull them down.
Use a travel mug with a tight‐fitting lid for all hot drinks.Build a fire if conditions are dry or if forest fire danger is High
Place pots and pans on the back burner with handles turned away from the edge of the stove.
Allow appliance cords (slow‐cookers, deep fryers, coffeemakers) to dangle over the counter edge.

The Facts

  • The average annual cost of scald injuries is $44 million.
  • Over 136,000 children were seen in emergency rooms for burn injuries in 2011.
  • 1,100 children die each year from fire and burns.

The FixShould a burn injury occur…

  1. Cool the burn with COOL (not cold) water to stop the burning process.
  2. Remove all clothing and/or diaper from the injured area.
  3. Cover the area with a clean dry sheet or bandages.
  4. Seek medical attention.

About The University of Texas Medical Branch

The first academic health center in Texas opened its doors in 1891 and today has four campuses, five health sciences schools, seven institutes for advanced study, a research enterprise that includes one of only two national laboratories dedicated to the safe study of infectious threats to human health, a Level 1 Trauma Center and a health system offering a full range of primary and specialized medical services throughout the Texas Gulf Coast region. UTMB is an institution in The University of Texas System and a member of the Texas Medical Center.

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