How fire-safe is your home for babies and children?

Lennart was 7 years old when he sustained a severe burn. "The burn on my stomach and chest was so large and severe. I had to be operated on immediately, otherwise, I wouldn't have survived." A large scar reminds Lennart of the incident that happened years ago.

 For Lennart, the cause of his burn was flying fireworks. But other causes in children are also common. Think of burns from hot steam coming from the dishwasher or an iron that is still glowing hot. However, most burns in children are caused by hot liquids. A cup of coffee or a mug of hot tea are the biggest culprits. Of course, you think: this won't happen to me. But don't be mistaken, accidents can happen in the blink of an eye.

Consider your child's safety
You've just made coffee. The large mug is cooling on the counter. You might think it's perfectly safe: your child can't reach it. But before you know it, your toddler or preschooler climbs onto a stool or the trash can, and that large mug is no longer safe on the counter. And what if your baby, crawling into the kitchen, grabs the cord of the kettle that hasn't been properly tucked away or pulls on the tablecloth where you've just placed your coffee?

How safe is your home?
Take a good look around your home and check the safety for your baby/child: are there candles on the sideboard? Make sure there's no stool or pouf nearby. Also, don't leave matches or lighters lying around. Before you know it, your child is playing with matches. Finished cooking? Then place the hot pans on the back burners. And are the cords of your kettle and coffee maker properly tucked away? Find more tips to ensure your child is safe at home and doesn't sustain a burn here.

Learn more about the safety of your baby/child
Young children still have everything to learn and discover. Accidents really can happen in the blink of an eye. Do you want to know what to do if your baby/child does sustain a burn? This topic is covered during the first aid course for babies and children. Learn all about safety and what to do in emergencies. Want to know more? Discover hereour range of first aid courses quickly.

Source: Dutch Burns Foundation