Raising Children Network: the Australian parenting website
  • Suitable for 0-8Years

Scalds: prevention and first aid

By Raising Children Network
 
 

Hot drinks are the main cause of scalds – the most common type of burn in young children. In fact, a hot cup of tea or even a bath that is too hot can scald and burn your child, just like a fire can. The first step in preventing scalds is to keep hot liquids away from children.

Facts about scalds

  • Hot drinks are the major cause of burns.
  • Hot water can scald up to half an hour after it has been boiled. A freshly poured hot drink will burn a child instantly.
  • Children under two are most at risk of scalds from hot liquids in kettles, teapots, saucepans and cups.
  • It takes less than a second for a child to be severely scalded with hot water at 65°C – the hot-water temperature in most Australian homes. The maximum safe temperature for your hot-water system is 50°C. At this temperature, it takes five minutes to severely scald a child.
  • The safe bath temperature for newborn babies is around 36°C, and for older children is between 37°C and 38°C. grown-ups tend to have baths in water between 42°C and 43°C. 

Tips for preventing scalds 

The best way to prevent burns and scalds is to keep hot drinks and other hot liquids away from children. Here are some more tips.

In the kitchen and dining room

  • Set the temperature of your hot-water system to 50°C.
  • Keep kettles, teapots and hot drinks at the back of the bench or centre of the table. This way children can’t reach them.
  • Make sure kettle cords do not hang down within reach of children. Use appliances with short cords so that children cannot use the cord to pull the appliance closer.
  • Put your baby down when you’re drinking something hot.  Children move quickly and unexpectedly. This means that sipping a hot drink while holding a small child could lead to burns.
  • Use spill-proof mugs with wide bases and narrow rims. This reduces the risk of scalds but doesn’t get rid of the risk altogether.
  • Use placemats instead of a tablecloth. Children sometimes tug tablecloths to see what’s on the table. They might also try to pull themselves to a standing position using a tablecloth. So placemats can help prevent hot food and drinks being spilled on top of children.
  • Use the back burners on the stove. Turn pan handles towards the back of the stove.
  • Carry plates to the pans on the stove, instead of carrying hot pans across the kitchen to the plates.
  • Test the temperature of soups, stews and other liquid-based dishes before serving them to children. Microwaved foods can have hot spots and cold spots. Stirring can even these out, but it’s still a good idea to test the temperature before serving.
  • As well as keeping a close eye on children, you can also start educating them about the dangers of things that are hot.

First aid for scalds and burns

Seek immediate medical attention for any burn that is bigger than a 20-cent piece. Call an ambulance for any burns to the face, airway, hands, neck or genital area, or burns that are larger than a child’s hand.

Follow these steps for a child with a scald:

  1. Make sure the area is safe, and that there is no further risk of injury. Take the child to a safe place if possible.
  2. Take off the child’s clothing immediately, but only if it is not stuck to the skin. Remove any watches or jewellery that the child is wearing – but only if you can do so without causing the child any more pain or injury.
  3. Treat the burn with cold tap water only. Cool the burned area under running cold tap water for a minimum of 10 minutes and no longer than 20 minutes. This will reduce tissue damage and pain. This is useful for up to three hours after the burn. Hold the child to provide comfort and warmth.
  4. Cover the burn with a loose, light, non-sticky dressing such as plastic wrap or a clean, wet cloth. Raise burned limbs.

If you are not sure how severe the burn is, contact a doctor, hospital or medical centre immediately.

Call an ambulance if:

  • the burn is to the face, neck or genital area
  • the burn is larger than the size of the child’s hand.

Definitely go to the doctor or to a hospital or medical centre if:

  • the burn or scald is the size of a 20-cent piece or larger
  • the burn looks raw, angry or blistered
  • the pain persists or is severe.

Things not to do with scalds and burns

  • Do not peel off any clothing that is stuck to the burn. Do not break any blisters.
  • Do not apply ice, iced water, lotions, moisturisers, ointments, creams or powders to the burn. These will only need to be removed to treat the burn properly. Butter or flour can make the damage worse.
  • If the burn is large, don’t cool it for longer than 20 minutes. This is because hypothermia can result quickly in children.

The major causes of scalds

  • Boiling water
  • Hot drinks
  • Soups, sauces and other hot food
  • Hot tap water
  • Hot baths
  • Hot liquid from kettles, pans and cups

Graph - Major Causes Burns

 
 
 
  • Last updated03-09-2009
  • Last reviewed04-05-2006
  • References

    Cassell, E., Clapperton, A., & Ashby, K. (2004). Unintentional burns and scalds in vulnerable populations: The very young and the very old, Victoria July 2001 to June 2003. Hazard, 57(Autumn), 1-17.

    Turner C, Spinks A, McClure R, Nixon J. (2004) Community-based interventions for the prevention of burns and scalds in children. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2.