Scalds: prevention and first aid

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• Hot water can scald up to half an hour after it has been boiled. A freshly poured hot drink will burn a child instantly.
• It takes less than a second for a child to be severely scalded with hot water at 65°C – the hot-water temperature in most Australian homes. The maximum safe temperature for your hot-water system is 50°C. At this temperature, it takes five minutes to severely scald a child.
• The safe bath temperature for newborn babies is around 36°C, and for older children is between 37°C and 38°C; adults tend to bathe in water between 42°C and 43°C. 

Children under two are most at risk of scalds from hot liquids in kettles, teapots, saucepans and cups. Hot drinks are the major cause of burns. The best way to prevent burns and scalds from hot drinks and hot liquids is to keep them away from children. So, drink your coffee or tea away from children.

As well as keeping a close eye on children, you can start educating them about the dangers of things that are hot.

The major causes of burns

Tips for preventing scalds 

In the kitchen and dining room

• Keep kettles, teapots and hot drinks at the back of the bench or centre of the table so that children can't reach them. Make sure kettle cords do not hang down within reach of children. If a child climbs on your lap, move your cup out of reach.
• Children move quickly and unexpectedly – sipping a hot drink while holding a small child could lead to burns. Put your baby down when you are drinking something hot.
• Using spill-proof mugs with wide bases and narrow rims reduces the risk of scalds but doesn't get rid of the risk altogether.
• Children sometimes tug tablecloths from tables to see what's on the table or to try to pull themselves to a standing position. Using placemats instead of a tablecloth can help prevent hot food and drinks being spilled on top of children.
• Keep cords for electric kettles and pans up on the bench, out of reach, and use appliances with short cords so that a child cannot use the cord to pull the appliance closer.
• Use the back burners on the stove. Turn pan handles towards the back of the stove.
• Carry plates to the pans on the stove, instead of carrying hot pans across the kitchen to the plates.
• Test the temperature of soups, stews and other liquid-based dishes before serving them to children. Microwaved foods may have hot spots and cold spots; stirring can even these out, but it's still a good idea to test the temperature before serving.

First aid for scalds and burns

Make sure the area is safe, and that there is no further risk of injury. Take the child to a safe place if possible.

Take off the child’s clothing immediately, but only if it is not stuck to the skin.

Treat the burn with cold tap water only. Cool the burnt area under running cold tap water for a minimum of 10 minutes to reduce tissue damage and pain. Hold the child to provide comfort and warmth.

Cover the burn with a loose, light, non-sticky dressing such as aluminium foil, plastic wrap or a clean, wet cloth. Raise burnt limbs.

If you are not sure how severe the burn is, contact a doctor, hospital or medical centre immediately.

Call an ambulance if:

• the burn is to the face, neck or genital area
• the burn is larger than the size of the child's hand.

Definitely go to the doctor or to a hospital or medical centre if:

• the burn or scald is the size of a 20-cent piece or larger
• the burn looks raw, angry or blistered
• the pain persists or is severe.

Things not to do with scalds and burns

• Do not peel off any clothing that is stuck to the burn. Do not break any blisters.
• Do not apply ice, iced water, lotions, moisturisers, ointments, creams or powders to the burn. These will only need to be removed to treat the burn properly. Butter or flour can make the damage worse.
• If the burn is large, don't cool it for longer than 20 minutes as hypothermia can result quickly in children.

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