Burn injuries are the third leading cause of household injury. Often, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure with these types of injuries. There are a number of steps you can take to protect you and your family from suffering from burn injuries.
Burn Injuries in the Kitchen
There are several opportunities to injure yourself in the kitchen. Some safety rules to employ include:
- Do not leave items cooking on the stove unattended. A slice of bacon draped just over the edge of the pan can catch fire. Paper towels near a gas flame may ignite. Being present allows these and other potential catastrophes to be caught quickly and addressed.
- Do not wear overly loose fitting or flowing clothing that can catch fire over the stove.
- Turn pot handles inwards and towards the rear of the stove. The limits small children’s ability to pull a hot pan of boiling water down on themselves. It also reduces the likelihood the handle will be inadvertently knocked or bumped into in a way that could cause spills onto people which lead to burns.
- Do not heat baby bottles in the microwave; microwaves heat unevenly. Instead, place the bottle in a pan of hot water to heat.
- Always test food temperature before feeding it to a child. If the food has been microwaved, be sure to thoroughly stir the food before testing.
Special Safety Tips for Small Children
Small children present their own challenges throughout the house. There are steps you can take to keep the chance of a child sustaining a burn to a minimum.
- When small children are present, search the home for heat sources. This can include a stove, a fireplace, a space heater, the outdoor grill, or a heating vent. Make sure the child’s access to these potential dangers is blocked.
- Cars get hot! Before putting a child in a car seat, check the surface for heat. Don’t forget to check for hot buckles and straps as well.
- When not in use, cover electrical outlets with safety caps.
- Children and pets have a penchant for chewing on electrical cords and wires. Keep them tucked away.
- Matches, lighters, and chemicals should be out of children’s reach – either on a high shelf or locked away.
Other Household Burn Prevention Strategies
- Water and electrical appliances don’t mix. Keep them apart.
- When not in use, unplug irons, curling irons, straightening wands, etc.
- Do not smoke in bed.
- Each year, coinciding with daylight savings time starting and ending, change the batteries in your smoke detector.
- Keep a fire extinguisher on every floor of your house. Check it to make sure it is up to date. Make sure you and your family members know how to use it.
- To prevent scalding, set the water heater’s thermostat below 120 degrees F.
If You or a Loved One Has Sustained Burn Injuries
Burn injuries are very serious and can be debilitating. They can lead to permanent disfigurement, scarring, and disability, as well as psychological damage. An experienced personal injury attorney can help a burn victim by taking on the burden of worrying about medical bills, rehabilitation expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Having a burn injury attorney on your side can make all the difference. At Fetterman & Associates, we have the experience necessary to understand the intricacies of burn injuries and burn recovery. Contact us at 561-845-2510 to discuss your case at no cost to you.