As parents we always make it our best interest to keep our kids safe from harm. We are very attentive on the things, our children encounter on a day to day basis. We always keep a watchful eye on what’s safe and what’s not. As much as possible, we want them not to experience any form of pain or discomfort, we’d rather experience them ourselves, instead of our children. In the type of world we live in right now, anything can pose a threat or danger to our kids. Even some places in our own homes can become hazardous, if we leave them unattended. Among these threats, burns can be considered one of the most common.

In children, toddlers and pre-schoolers under the age of 4 are the most common victims of burns and scalding injuries. This injury can cause physical deformity, irreversible physiologic damage, emotional distress and even death, if left untreated.  How then can we keep our kids safe from burns? It is important to note, that burns is one the most preventable forms of injury. Common sources would include household appliances, electricity, sun exposure, lightning, hazardous chemicals and hot liquids. Keeping our kids away from the source is the best intervention to prevent burns. If in case contact with such things cannot be avoided, preventive measures should be done. Inside the house, parents must make sure that every appliance and area is child-proof. For people with a hot water heater, the temperature should be maintained to not more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent scalding, if in case it comes in contact with the child.  Inside the kitchen, hot coffee pots and hot counter tops should be placed in areas, which is difficult for children to reach.  Chemicals and hot liquids should be kept safely in storage containers that are not accessible to children. Electrical outlets must be covered and cords must be out of reach to prevent electrical burns. When going outside, under the heat of the sun, the child must wear sunscreen with at least SPF 15 as well as any form of protective garments such as caps and sun glasses that will limit his exposure to the sun. If living in a lightning prone area, always stay indoors, when outside avoid contact with metal objects and bodies of water,  immediately seek a safe shelter like a thick dense of trees.  Parents can also install fire alarms and smoke detectors for additional safety, these alarms should be checked regularly to ensure their working condition. Flammable objects like matches, gas lamps, fire cracker and lighters should be kept in safe storage areas. Teaching kids about fire safety is also very essential; children need to know how to escape the house if in case it burns down, they should also know that playing with fire is very dangerous.

Ensuring the child’s safety and security is every parent’s first priority. With these preventive measures, parents will be able to protect their children from any burns or scalding injury.