health
Burns are one of those household emergencies none of us ever want to think about, but every parent knows that little humans have big curiosity. Hot drinks, sizzling pans, steamy baths … if it’ s warm, they’ ll find it. The good news? With a bit of know-how and some simple home tweaks, most burns can be prevented.
The everyday burn hazards
If you’ re picturing bonfires and fireworks, think smaller … much smaller.
According to Murray Hewlett, CEO of Affinity Health hot liquids are top of the list.“ Scalds from hot water, cooking pots and kettles are a leading cause of burn injuries in young children,” he says.
Willem Rossouw, ER24 Branch Manager( Durban), adds that stoves, ovens and splashing cooking oil are frequent culprits, as well as chemical burns from cleaning products, while appliances like irons and heaters also pose risks.“ Even bathwater can be dangerous if the geyser is set too high.”
So what can you do? Lots, it turns out. Rossouw suggests adopting simple kitchen habits such as turning
www. babysandbeyond. co. za pot handles inward, regularly checking electrical cords, keeping chemicals locked away, and wearing safety gloves when handling them. It is also important to avoid holding children while cooking, or better yet, to keep children out of the cooking area altogether.
Hewlett adds,“ For hot water safety, set your geyser to a safe temperature( around 50 – 55 ° C), always test bathwater with your elbow, and fill a child’ s bath with cold water first, before adding warm. Water much hotter than 49 – 50 ° C at the tap can cause scalds quickly, especially in children.”
When burns happen
Even with precautions, accidents can happen. Knowing what to do immediately can prevent lasting damage.
Rossouw says the first step is always to remove the person from the heat source.“ Then cool the burn with cool running water for 15 – 20 minutes. This reduces tissue damage and pain.” After that, remove any tight clothing, rings or jewellery near the burn site, since swelling may occur. The burn should be covered with a clean, non-fluffy cloth or a sterile dressing.
Hewlett adds that cling wrap makes an excellent protective covering, as long as it’ s applied loosely.“ And remember: any
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