Scalds & Burns HURT!

As we all know scalds and burns can be very terrifying and painful, as well as create anxiety for ourselves and the child involved. It is very important that you remain calm and continue to talk to the child in a nurturing voice to assist in keeping the child calm and still. However, accidents can and do happen. Here are some tips in preventing burns and scalds from happening within your home.

1. Keep all hot drinks away from any children. It is also important that you teach your child from a young age that hot drinks burn and are not to be touched. Allow them to experience the heat from the drink by placing their hand close to the cup, but NOT ON IT! For the little one's repeat the word HOT and have them try to verbalize it as well. Older children may have experienced hot beverages before and understand the intensity of the heat. It is also a good idea to designate certain cups to hot beverages so your child automatically begins to recognize that certain cups are not to be touched due to the heat. NEVER, EVER place a hot drink near a child, or drink a hot beverage while playing or reading to a child. It only takes a quick movement or giggle and movement for the drink to be spilled and a burn may occur.

2. Teach your child Kitchen Safety from the get-go! Kitchens are not a place of play and young children should not be in the direct kitchen area when you are cooking. It is great to encourage older children to take part in the preparation and cooking of meals but ensure they are age appropriate skills. Teach safety first and practice it always so it becomes ROUTINE. Always use the back stove burners before the one's in the front. Ensure all cords and appliances are near the back of the counter and cords are not within reach of little curious hands.

3. Keep your tap water within a safe range, as children begin to use taps to wash their hands, etc. Set your hot water heater to 49 degress celcius and you can also purchase anti-scald devices to put on your taps.

4. Cover ALL electrical outlets (even in rooms you may not use often, or at a height you think cannot be reached). There is no reason to not take the hour to go out and purchase the plugs and go around the home with older children ensuring all are covered. It only takes a second for an accident to happen!!