|
TOMS RIVER, New Jersey, September 26, 2007--- Thousands of children suffer burn-related injuries each year, and scald burn injury caused by hot liquids or steam is the most common type of burn-related injury among young children.
In fact, among children ages 4 and under hospitalized for burn-related injuries, it is estimated that 65 percent are treated for scald burns. A burn occurs when skin comes in contact with high heat; the higher the temperature and longer the exposure, the greater the damage.
³Because young children have thinner skin than older children and adults, their skin burns at lower temperatures and more deeply,² says Laurence DesRochers, M.D., FACEP, chairman of Emergency Medicine at Community Medical Center. ³A child exposed to hot tap water at 140 degrees Fahrenheit for three seconds will sustain a third-degree burn, an injury requiring hospitalization and skin grafts. A hot cup of tea or a steaming bath, while dangerous to an adult, is devastating to a young child.²
Dr. DesRochers, who oversees an Emergency Department that includes eight dedicated pediatric beds and a number of special amenities for children, notes that if an infant or toddler does get burned, the choices made in those first few minutes may save a lifetime of concern. He offers these
tips:
- You should immediately cool the burn, remove the child¹s clothing and seek medical attention.
- When cooling the burn, use a wet cloth or towel, or gently pour water over the burned area. Clothing should be quickly removed as it holds in heat and continues to burn. Never use ice, butter or any other home remedies. They do not work and often worsen the burn.
- For all burns, consult your pediatrician or take your child to the nearest emergency department.
To reduce the risk of burn injury in children, Dr. DesRochers recommends the
following:
- Keep all hot foods, especially liquids, away from curious hands. Center them in the middle of a table or on back of a counter, keeping cords and pot handles turned inward.
- Limit the use of tablecloths, place mats or anything toddlers ‹especially those just learning to walk ‹ may grab onto, causing hot items to splash down.
- Never carry a child while holding hot liquids.
- When using a stroller, do not put hot drinks, such as coffee, in the cup holder. If you hit a bump in the sidewalk, it can topple onto the child. Instead, always drink out of travel or spill proof mug ‹ even at home.
- Teach even very young children to stand back, or place them securely in a high chair when carrying hot foods from the stove or oven.
- Always test bath water. Water temperature for babies and toddlers should not be over 100 degrees.
- While in the bath, position toddlers facing away from faucets. They will be less likely to reach out and turn them on.
- Set hot water heaters to 120 degrees. This setting greatly reduces the risk of burns, yet still leaves plenty of hot water for bathing, appliances or other household needs. If you live in an apartment building, discuss this with your landlord. By law, temperature setting may not be higher than 130 degrees.
- Consider purchasing anti-scald valves or bath thermometers, which are available at most home centers.
To learn more about Community Medical Center¹s Emergency Department, which earlier this year introduced a pediatric emergency service to provide care via a dedicated team of physicians board certified in pediatrics or emergency medicine and nurses, call 1-888-SBHS-123.
Contact: Kathleen Horan
Public Relations and Marketing
(732) 557-3909
[ top ] |
|
|
