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Burn Prevention and Treatment

Safety
5 January 2026

Fire, electricity, hot liquids, hot beverages, hot cooking pots, boiling water, water heaters, and kettles pose a danger to children and toddlers. Every year, thousands of children are admitted to emergency rooms and hospital wards with severe and painful burns that could have been prevented. Most burn victims (approximately 78%) are children up to the age of four, and about 84% of burn injuries occur at home as a result of hot liquids.

For infants, burns can cause particularly severe injuries because their skin is very thin. A burn that would cause only minor discomfort to an adult may cause much more serious damage to an infant.

So, what can be done? The next burn can be prevented by following safety and caution guidelines while cooking in the kitchen, when choosing and using heating devices, when placing hot appliances, accessories, and utensils in living areas, and while bathing in the bathroom.

Treatment of burns after an injury

  1. Remove the child from the source of injury: If the injury is caused by fire, roll the child on the ground and smother the flames with a cloth. If the injury is caused by hot liquid, place the affected area under running lukewarm water for 20 minutes. If the injury is caused by electricity, move the child away using an object that does not conduct electricity.
  2. Do not apply ice, yogurt, or any other substances, as these may cause infection.
  3. If the skin becomes red, seek immediate medical care for proper diagnosis of the burn and appropriate treatment.
  4. In any case of loss of consciousness, call MDA emergency services at 101 and follow their instructions.

We all use fire in our daily lives (e.g., for cooking and boiling water), drink hot beverages, and use heating devices. Despite the many benefits of fire in everyday life, it can also cause harm, most notably burns. Burns are the most common injuries among infants and young children, from birth to the age of four (approximately 78% of burn victims). Each year, about 1,850 children are admitted to emergency rooms and hospital wards due to severe and painful burn injuries, most of which could have been prevented. In fact, three out of five children who arrive at emergency rooms do so because of burns. In addition, many burn injuries are not reported at all.

The harm caused by burns

For infants, burns can cause severe injuries because their skin is very thin. A burn that would cause only minor discomfort to an adult can cause intense pain and significant suffering for infants and children, prolonged hospitalization lasting weeks or even months, and in some cases surgery and severe scarring.

Causes of burns

Burns can occur for many reasons. For example, due to lack of attention by adults who leave a cup of coffee or tea within reach of children, or because children are naturally curious and do not understand the risks of their actions or that many objects can pose a burn hazard. Most children who are injured by burns are injured at home, and most burns occur in the kitchen. The majority of children who arrived at emergency rooms and were hospitalized were burned by hot liquids spilled on them, such as a cup of boiling beverage or a bowl of soup. Additional causes include contact with hot cooking pots, water heaters, kettles, radiators, fireplaces with open flames, candles, lighters, and hair dryers. Another important fact to note is that 70% of children who were hospitalized due to burns were near an adult at the time of the injury. This suggests that the issue is not necessarily a lack of supervision but rather insufficient preventive planning and the absence of a safe environment.

A safe home environment for preventing burns

Following the principles below can help prevent burns. Adopt these habits and maintain a safe environment not only at home, but also at grandparents’ homes or anywhere children are present.

  • Prevent accidents: Whenever possible, cook on the back burners of the stove and turn pot and pan handles toward the wall so they do not stick out.
  • Involve children, but only with supervision: Children can be involved in cooking, baking, or heating food, but only under close adult supervision.
  • Teach safety: Explain safety rules to children gradually and in an age-appropriate way, until they are ready to cook independently and safely.

  • Do not cook or handle hot drinks while holding a baby.: A single moment of distraction is enough for a hot liquid to spill on a baby and cause serious injury.
  • Keep hot food and drinks out of reach: Pay special attention not to place hot drinks on a tablecloth within reach of children.
  • Organize kitchen counters: Keep pots, kettles, water heaters, and hot drinks away from the edges of counters and tables.
  • Avoid using tablecloths: Place items only in the center of the table and avoid using tablecloths that can be pulled. Children often tug on tablecloths, which can cause everything on them to fall and lead to burns. If you want to protect the table, use individual placemats placed away from the table edge.
  • Handle hot plates and power cords safely: Place the hot plate and its electrical cord out of children’s reach.
  • Keep cleaning products away: Store cleaning products out of children’s reach to prevent chemical burns.

  • Check water temperature: Always check the water temperature before placing a baby in the bath. The recommended temperature is 37°C.
  • Check water flow: Test the water flow before showering.
  • Install a temperature limiter: Install a device that limits tap water temperature to 49°C.
  • Do not allow playing with the faucet: Do not allow babies to play with the faucet. When washing a baby in the sink, keep their body away from the faucet to prevent accidental turning to hot water through body or hand contact.

It is recommended to ensure safe seating, with children seated in appropriate chairs and as far as possible from aisles where waitstaff pass carrying hot food and dishes.

Rules for preventing burns from fire and electricity

  • Use only certified products: Choose products that meet official safety standards and have been tested and approved by the relevant authorities.
  • Install smoke detectors: An inexpensive device that can save lives by providing real-time alerts in the event of a fire and giving you time to escape or extinguish the flames.
  • Be cautious when using candles, matches, and lighters: Avoid leaving lit candles, matches, or lighters within reach of children. Also make sure there are no curtains near the stove or near lit candles.
  • Install safety covers or plugs: Use safety covers or protective plugs on all electrical outlets in the home, especially those accessible to children.
  • Teach electrical safety: Children should be taught to keep away from electricity and to understand that it poses a life-threatening danger, including the importance of never climbing electrical poles.
  • Establish clear fire safety rules: In the event of an open fire, you should quickly move children away from the source and smother the flames using a nearby cloth.
  • Supervise during barbecues: When preparing food over an open flame, closely supervise children and infants and prevent them from approaching the fire.

Safety rules for home heating appliances

  • Avoid using hazardous heating devices: Devices such as spiral heaters, gas heaters, and fan heaters can be dangerous and may cause fires or burns. If a device has a short power cord, avoid using extension cords, as these can increase the risk of tripping and injury.
  • Keep heating devices away from flammable objects: Such as curtains, sofas, and blankets. Read more about safe heating and cooling of infant rooms.
  • Install a barrier around fireplaces: If you use a fireplace at home, ensure it is enclosed or fenced off to prevent children from getting too close.
  • Maintain distance from air conditioners and radiators: These devices are generally safe to use, but children should be kept away, and care should be taken to ensure they do not touch an operating radiator.
  • Do not dry or warm clothes on heating devices: Heating devices are intended solely to warm the room. Drying clothes on them may cause a fire.

Treatment of burns after an injury

  • Move the child away from the heat source and rinse the affected area under lukewarm running water for 20 minutes.
  • Do not apply ice, yogurt, or anything else to the affected area, as this may cause infection.
  • If there is redness, seek medical attention immediately for burn assessment and appropriate treatment.
  • In any case of unconsciousness, call MDA at 101 and follow their instructions.

Treatment by type of burn

  • Flame burns: Roll the child on the floor and smother the fire with a cloth.
  • Burns from hot liquids: Rinse under lukewarm running water for 20 minutes.
  • Electrical burns: Move the child away using a non-conductive object (e.g., a broom).

You can prevent the next burn

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cxc5_W0KwWs

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