Burns

How can we prevent other fires or burns in our home?

* Prevent chemical burns by wearing gloves and other protective clothing when you handle chemicals. Store chemicals, including gasoline, out of the reach of children.

* To prevent electrical burns, put covers on any electrical outlets that are within children's reach. Throw out electrical cords that are frayed or damaged in any way.

* Use space heaters carefully and teach children to stay away from them.

* Store matches and lighters in a locked cabinet or where children can't reach them.

* Never leave candles unattended. Blow them out when you leave the room.

* If you smoke, don't smoke in bed. Get rid of used cigarettes carefully. Fires caused by smoking materials are the leading cause of deaths in house fires.

* Before putting a child younger than 1 year old into a car seat, touch the seat to see how hot it is. Hot seat-belt straps or buckles can cause second-degree burns on small children. Cover the car seat with a towel when you park in the sun.

* Don't let small children play near the stove or help you cook at the stove.

* Don't wear clothing with long, loose sleeves when you are cooking.

* Cooking fires are the leading cause of house fires. Put out a small fire on a stove by sliding a lid over the flames.

* Do not use a microwave oven to warm baby bottles. The liquid may heat up unevenly and scald your baby’s mouth.

* Cover electrical outlets to prevent electrical burns in babies, toddlers and small children.

* Unplug hot irons, such as clothes irons or curling irons, and keep them out of reach of children.

How can we prevent hot water burns in our home?

* Test the water temperature before you or your children get into the tub or shower. Don't let young children touch the faucet handles during a bath.

* Set the temperature on your water heater to 120º F, or use the "low-medium" setting. Water that is hotter than this can cause burns in 2 to 3...