Burns and scalds are a potential accident in every home.  Babies and young children are especially susceptible.  Burns are caused by dry heat, extreme cold, radiation (UV rays from the sun) corrosive substances, and friction.  Scalds can be caused by wet heat, hot liquids, and vapors.  While serious burns require medical care, minor burns and scalds can usually be safely treated at home. 

The severity of a burn is categorized depending on how badly the skin is damaged.  To distinguish a minor burn from a severe burn as well as information on how to treat a burn, visit MayoClinic.com 

 Safety Tips 

 In the kitchen

• Taste cooked food and heated liquids to make sure they are not too hot for your child.
• Never microwave your baby’s bottle.  Drinks heated in a microwave may be much hotter than their containers.  Heat liquids in another container -then pour it into the baby’s bottle.   
• Never carry or hold children and hot foods or liquids at the same time.
• Cook with pots and pans on back burners when possible and turn handles away when cooking on the front.
• Keep hot foods and liquids away from table and counter edges.

Around the house

• Cover unused electrical outlets with safety devices.
• Keep matches, gasoline, and lighters locked away and out of children’s reach.

In the bathroom

• Unplug irons and curling irons when not in use.  Store them out of children’s reach.
• Test the bathwater with your wrist or elbow before placing your child in it.
• Set your water heater thermostat at 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Content Sources: Safe Kids – Fire, Burn and Scald Prevention and MayoClinic - Burns: First aid