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Keeping Kids Safe from Winter Burns
February 3, 2009
Children’s National encourages families to follow simple tips to keep kids safe from burn injuries.
Children’s National Medical Center’s Burn Clinic has recently seen a dramatic increase in fireplace burn injuries among toddlers, ages 9 months to 2 years of age. These preventable burn injuries are caused when a child touches the screen or glass in front of the burning fireplace resulting in deep penetration of the underlying layers of skin on the hand or palm.
"The fireplace burns are classified as full thickness burns, some of the most serious burns we see," said Ananth Murthy, MD, plastic and reconstruction surgeon for Children’s Emergency Trauma and Burn Services. "Glass fire screens can reach up to 245 degrees Celsius (approximately 500 F) within 5 to 10 minutes after the fire is started. Since glass holds on to the heat, it tends to stay hot even after the fire is put out."
Because toddlers are new to walking, they tend to reach for solid surfaces for stability. Once they place their hands on any hot surface, they don’t have the basic instinct to pull back like an older child would. Much of this is attributed to the fact that they aren’t steady enough to catch themselves if they fall.
Your family can safely enjoy the winter pleasures by following these key tips:
Tips for Burn Prevention:
- Place non-heat conducting screens in front of all fireplaces.
- Create a “safe zone” for children by utilizing play yards, playpens, and highchairs to keep them away from the fireplace.
- Never leave a child or toddler alone in the room with a fireplace or heater.
- Allow adequate time for fireplaces and screens to cool before allowing the child to go near them.
- Install a carbon monoxide alarm, in addition to your fire alarms. Every home with flame containing appliances or fireplaces should have a carbon monoxide alarm.
If your child suffers a burn:
- Get your child to safety.
- Call 911 if your child has suffered a flame burn.
- Stop the burning process if it is an external burn by applying cool water.
- Don’t put anything, such as ointments or creams, on the burn – simply cover it with a clean, dry towel or cloth.
- Take your child to his or her pediatrician or an Emergency Department to evaluate the burn and for directions on how to treat it.
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