10 Tips to Prevent Burns in Your Child

Did you know that children between 12 and 18 months old are at the highest risk for burns? Almost half of all these accidents involving children are caused by a cup of hot coffee or tea. Prevention is obviously better than cure, which is why we provide you with 10 tips to ensure this doesn't happen to your child.

According to the Dutch Burns Foundation, babies and toddlers are more frequently admitted to a Dutch burn center with severe burns than other age groups. From 7 months old, the number of burns in children increases, and there is a clear peak in children between 12 and 18 months old. In almost 90% of cases, the cause is a hot liquid, such as tea, coffee, or (bath) water. Did you know that even a small splash of tea can cause severe burns in a child?

Cause of the peak
It's not surprising that most burns occur in children between 1 and 1.5 years old. At this age, children develop incredibly quickly. They learn various skills, such as pulling up, crawling, and walking. Unfortunately, this sometimes goes wrong. What if your child suddenly can reach your hot coffee? According to the Burns Foundation, this development in children often happens faster than parents think. "That won't happen to me," is a common reaction from parents. But a tip from the Foundation: do not underestimate the learning ability of young children and be mindful of the risks.

Consequences of burns
Even a few drops of hot water can cause severe burns in a small child. Permanent scars are often the result. And that's not all. Sonja Scholten, a burn doctor at the burn center Groningen of the Martini Hospital, explains:"Children have thinner skin, and the burned body surface is proportionally larger than in adults. The psychological impact on these children and their parents is also significant. Parents often struggle with guilt for a long time."

Tips to prevent burns
Young children are at extra risk. 25% of the patients in the burn center are younger than 5 years old. What can you as parents do to minimize the chance of a burn for your child? Here we provide 10 tips:

1. Store matches and lighters safely.
2. Be alert when lighting candles.
3. Keep hot coffee and tea out of children's reach.
4. Empty the kettle after use.
5. Do not drink hot liquids with a child on your lap.
6. Always test bathwater with your elbow or a thermometer: 37 degrees is the best temperature.
7. Ensure there are no chairs or other climbing aids in the kitchen.
8. Install a temperature limiter on the tap.
9. Ensure short cords for electrical appliances so children cannot pull on them.
10. If possible, use the rear burners of the stove and turn handles to the side or back.

Starting September 12, the Dutch Burns Foundation will launch an awareness campaign. You can find more information onthe website.Would you like to know what to do if things accidentally go wrong? During a first aid course for babies and children, you learn what to do if your child suffers a burn.Hereyou will find an overview of the courses offered by EHBO Bureau.