Kids scald fast. Cool it first.

02/03/2009

Kids scald fast. Cool it first. That’s the reminder Riley Hospital for Children wants to share with parents during National Burn Awareness Week (February 1-7) and beyond. 

Kids scald fast. Cool it first. is a public awareness campaign designed to remind parents that children have thinner skin than adults, which means they scald faster, deeper and at lower temperatures.

Scalds are burns typically caused by hot liquids or foods. As the cold weather continues and we turn to hot chocolate and warm baths to warm up, we need to be aware of the risks for scalds to both children and adults.

In 2007, scalding resulted in over 42% of all admissions to Riley Hospital’s Burn Care Unit, Indiana’s only pediatric burn center.

“Most scalds in the kitchen are caused by hot liquids and steam, which include hot beverages, soups and steam from microwave popcorn. Wait a few minutes before removing any item from the microwave. Also, to eliminate hot spots that may burn your child, please stir and test, either by touch or taste, the temperature of the food,” said John Coleman, MD, medical director of Riley’s Burn Care Unit “And be sure to never place food in the process of cooling in front of a child.”

“Children’s baby fat retards the dispersal of heat so the burning substance remains hotter longer on a child than on an adult with less subcutaneous fat,” continued Dr. Coleman.

Below are some additional tips to prevent scalding or serious burns:

• Keep children out of the kitchen while food is being prepared.
• Turn handles inward and out of reach of a child or infant. This includes pots and pans on your stove, kitchen counter or table.
• Never pour hot liquids or even drink hot fluids while holding an infant or child. Any movement may cause the liquids to spill on the child’s skin.
• Check the temperature of a child’s bath water. Make sure the water is no warmer than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. You can buy a water thermometer at any hardware store.
• Turn down the temperature of your water heater or install a hot water control on your faucets. Set your water heater to no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Never leave an infant or child alone in a bathtub or sink. Take the child out of the water and with you if you need to leave the room for any reason.
• Talk to your child’s caregiver about safety during bathing, preparing food, etc.

Riley Hospital cares about your child. To obtain a FREE Kids scald fast. Cool it first. static cling for your microwave, please visit www.ACallToChange.org. For more ways to protect your family, visit the Riley Safety Store online or in person at Riley Hospital or The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.

About Riley Hospital for Children As one of the nation’s leading pediatric hospitals and Indiana’s first and only comprehensive hospital dedicated exclusively to the care of children, Riley Hospital for Children, a part of Clarian Health, has provided compassionate care, support and comfort to children and their families for 85 years. Each year, Riley Hospital and Riley Hospital at Clarian North serve over 215,000 inpatients and outpatients from across Indiana, the nation and the world. Riley Hospital’s partnership with Clarian Health, and its strong affiliation with the Indiana University School of Medicine, makes it the only comprehensive clinical resource for Indiana’s children and the premiere source for health-related information for their parents. From simple care associated with the health and wellness of children and less complex specialty care to the most critically-ill and medically complex cases, Riley Hospital for Children is a national leader. Clarian Health operates the Methodist Hospital, Indiana University Hospital and Riley Hospital for Children campuses as a single hospital under Indiana law. Visit www.rileychildrenshospital.com for more information.

CONTACT:
Margie Smith-Simmons
317.962.4085 (o)
317.312.4348 (p)
msmithsi@clarian.org