Burn and Electrical Safety
What can I do to prevent my child from getting burned?
- Do not handle hot liquids (coffee/tea/coca) if your child has easy access to it. This includes trying to carry both your child and a hot liquid at the same time.
- Protect your child from “hot” appliances such as fireplaces, irons, space heaters and stoves by either removing them from the area or by strict supervision if access is available.
- Turn your hot water heater to 125 degrees. Children can turn on hot water faucets very easily, but 125 water temperatures will prevent an immediate scald.
- Do not let your child have access to matches, lighter or burning cigarettes. Be sure all such objects are stored away from sight and out of reach of children.
- Make sure your home has functioning smoke alarms in hallways and sleeping quarters. Check the alarms monthly for battery charge.
- Fire drills should be conducted by families to know where to go and what to do in case of a fire in your home.
- Prevent electrical burns by covering all electrical outlets with plastic safety caps and keeping electrical cords away from children.
- Protect children from scalds by keeping hot pots and pans back burners and turning pot handles inward and out of reach.
- Use flame retardant sleepwear and blankets.
