Don’t Get Burned!

It may be hard to believe, but hot water can burn like fire! Most families are unaware that hot water poses such a huge risk. Scald burns can happen in the blink of an eye, if you’re not prepared. Because of their thin skin, young children are especially at risk for serious injuries.

The good news is that there are simple changes you can make in your home to help prevent scald burns. First, check your hot water heater setting and make sure it’s set to 120 degrees Fahrenheit and no higher. If you live in an apartment building, talk to your building manager about lowering the setting for the building or install an anti-scald device that will sense if the water gets too hot and shut off the flow of water.

In the kitchen, keep children at least three feet away from the stove by putting tape on the floor and teaching them to stay out of the “no-kid-zone.” Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove when you are cooking to keep curious children from reaching up and pulling them down.

If you or your little ones are burned, cool the burn immediately by running the burned area under cool water. Do not put ice, butter or lotion on the burn. This will only make it worse. Call 9-1-1 if the burn looks severe.

Safety Tips for Preventing Scalds and Burns

• Click here to learn more ways to prevent hot water burns in your home.
• Click here to learn ways to protect against scald burn dangers.

Click here for a complete list of home safety tips to help you keep your family safe year round.

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