Are Your Children Protected from Burns?

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In 1997, about 83,000 children 14 and under were treated for burns in hospital emergency rooms.

Burns have long been recognized as one of the most painful and devastating injures human beings can sustain and survive. Children 4 and under are at greater risk from burn-related death because they have thinner skin and, therefore, burn at lower temperatures and more deeply. Scald burns can happen quickly. Hot water taps account for nearly 25 percent of all scald burns among children.

To protect your family, you should:

• Turn pot handles to the back of the stove, and keep hot liquids and foods away from the edges of tables and counters.
• Always test bath water with your wrist or elbow before bathing a child, to make sure the water is not too hot.
• Set the water heater thermostat to 120^oF.
• Install anti-scald devices for shower heads and faucets. These cost about $15 and can be bought at most hardware stores.