February 2-8 is Burn Awareness Week 2014. This year’s theme is scalds. For more information contact Ernest Grant, RN, MSN, FAAN, the Center’s outreach coordinator, at 919-966-2381 or egrant@unch.unc.edu. Other experts are also available for interviews by contacting Lynn West, lmwest@med.unc.edu, 919-966-8159.
10 Tips to Avoid Scalds
Scalds, common in the kitchen or bath of every home, are preventable. Here are some tips from the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center to help you avoid getting scalded:
- Install tempering valves on faucets to keep the water temperature constant and anti-scald valves in the shower head to automatically turn off the flow if the cold water is turned off while the hot water is on.
- Supervise children and individuals with special needs in the bath or kitchen.
- Install grab bars on tubs, and single faucet handles in tubs and bathroom sinks.
- Check your water heater, and if the temperature is higher than 120 degrees, dial it back accordingly.
- Test the temperature of the water before getting in or placing a child or adult in a bath by running your hand, wrist, or forearm quickly through the water.
- Establish a “kid-free” zone in the kitchen – an area at least three feet in front of the stove should be marked off with tape and the child instructed not to step inside that area. If that’s not possible, cook on back burners and keep pot handles turned so kids can’t pull them over.
- Never hold children while cooking, drinking a hot beverage or carrying hot foods.
- Open micro-waved foods carefully, opening them away from you so steam releases safely. Always allow microwaved foods to cook before eating.
- Never heat a baby bottle in the microwave.
- Place hot liquids and foods in the center of the table where toddlers and young children can’t reach them.
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